Click here to see the event layout map.

From the South on I-95: Take I-95 North to Exit 7 (York exit). Bear right onto Spur Road. Go left at stoplight onto Route 1 North. Turn right at Yorks Wild Animal Kingdom. Follow the road down to the parking lot.

From the South on Route 1: Follow Route 1 North to York. Turn right at Yorks Wild Animal Kingdom. Follow the road down to the parking lot.

From the North on I-95: Take I-95 South to Exit 7 (York exit). Bear left onto Spur Road. Go left at stoplight onto Route 1 North. Turn right at Yorks Wild Animal Kingdom. Follow the road down to the parking lot.

From the North on Route 1: Follow Route 1 South to York. Pass the 1A intersection in Cape Neddick. Take left at Yorks Wild Animal Kingdom. Follow the road down to the parking lot.

Handicap Parking at the Winebaum Center Parking Lot. See layout map here.


The parking meters are free at Harvestfest. Locals who would prefer to park at Ellis Park and any other town metered parking may do so! There may also be private parking lots available for a fee around the downtown of Short Sands.


Dogs are NOT permitted at Harvestfest (except service dogs).

We discourage the use of baby strollers in the Food Tent on Saturday for safety reasons.

ATM Machines located at:

Freestyle/Life is Good & Freestyle Sunglasses - both shops are located on Railroad Ave.
Union Bluff - located on Beach Street

2011 Harvestfest Presenting Sponsors Make Huge Contributions to Festival’s Success

In it’s 27th year, Harvestfest is two-day event located at Short Sands Beach, in York, Maine. The event started as a chamber of commerce end-of-the-season ox-roast BBQ for our members, which was so much fun that when word got around about it, the chamber was under pressure to open the party up to the general public! That is how Harvestfest was born!

The Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors Harvestfest, is pleased to announce that all four presenting sponsors are returning again this year. Harvestfest is southern Maine’s premiere fall festival. It will be celebrated this year on Sat., Oct. 15 & Sun., Oct. 16.

“We could not have grown this community festival without the longstanding contributions of our presenting sponsors and we are grateful for their continued dedication to the event. Not only do these businesses provide valuable financial support, they roll up their sleeves and make the festival happen by performing the hard work behind the scenes!” said Jeff Pelkey, Board Chair.

In the past, Wendy Tapley, owner of Tapley Insurance Agency Inc., and her husband Brian chaired the chamber’s food booth. They ordered all of the supplies and leaned on their employees and their families to man the booth, prepare the food, and clean up the mess when the event ended.

Peter Hughes, his brother Patrick and their families from the Cutty Sark Motel dig the bean hole, set-up the ox-roast BBQ pit, and prepare the whole Harvestfest site for the onslaught of attendees. They also allow the chamber to use their motorized equipment during the festival to move materials as needed.

Kennebunk Savings Bank has been involved for many years. Bank employees also volunteer with many other aspects of the event during the weekend, as well as sell coffee in partnership with Carpe Diem Coffee Roasters to raise money for the York Food Pantry.

Woods Family Inc., owners of The Daily Grind, sponsor the Pumpkin Stroll at York Beach. A crew from The Daily Grind led by Jen Woods assists children in carving their pumpkins, which will become part of the Pumpkin Stroll from 5:30pm to 7:15pm Pumpkin Stroll on Saturday along Railroad Ave. Stroll by foot or by car to view the more than 250 carved and decorated pumpkins and luminaries, while enjoying the fun and original music of guitarist Dan Blakeslee!!

2012 Harvestfest Entertainment Information coming soon!


Entertainment at Harvestfest 2011


Saturday, October 15:

Stage One at Ballfield

10:00am – 4:00pm: Don Campbell Band

Stage Two & Esplanade at Railroad Ave

10:00am – 11:00pm: The Substance
11:15am – 11:45am: York Strings
11:45am – 1:00pm: Skyler
1:00pm – 2:00pm: Maine-ly Balloons
2:00pm – 4:00pm: Dan Blakeslee
5:30pm – 7:00pm: Dr. Gasp (aka Dan Blakeslee)

Maine-ly Balloons roving 2:00pm – 4:00pm


Sunday, October 16:

Under Big Tent / Ballfield

11:00am – 4:00pm Annual POW-WOW

Stage Two at Railroad Ave

10:00am – 11:00am: Dance Street Studio
11:00am – 12:00pm: Park’s Tae Kwon Do
12:00pm – 12:30pm: Storytelling by Shawn Middleton
12:45pm – 1:15pm: Storytelling by Shawn Middleton
1:30pm – 2:00pm: Storytelling by Shawn Middleton
2:00pm – 4:00pm: Extreme Air of New Hampshire

Schedule subject to change without notice. Times are approximate.






The Don Campbell Band

They’re back again this year!! Singer-songwriter Don Campbell, a national winner of the Colgate Country Showdown at the Grand Ole Opry, wrote and recorded a new song, "Won't Wash Away" in response to the historic rainfall and flooding events that hit Middle Tennessee in May.  "Witnessing first hand how quickly people joined together to help one another was the inspiration behind this song, which in effect, wrote itself," said Campbell from his home in Murfreesboro, TN.

Last year, Campbell performed in the Chris Young & Friends Tornado Relief Concert to benefit victims of the Good Friday tornadoes in Murfreesboro, and in 2005, his song, "Say Goodbye to Heartache" was part of the Gulf Coast Healing: Independent Artists Band Together for Hurricane Katrina Relief CD.

In his native State of Maine, he has been a musical part of the "Wreaths Across America" escorts to Arlington Cemetery,  Jeff Gordon & Kyle Petty Foundation fundraising events, and many other annual benefits for a wide variety of organizations.  Campbell also penned "A Friend Right Here" which the Visiting Nurse Associations of America adopted as their theme song in 2002.

Don Campbell performs over 150 shows per year and has opened for Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith, Randy Travis, and many other country, folk and rock greats.
He is also a past national winner of the Jim Beam Country Band Search.

The Substance

The Substance is a five-piece rock band from York Beach, Maine. The band plays danceable covers and fun, crowd-pleasing original music. The band features strong musicianship and an entertaining stage presentation. All five members sing, covering a wide variety of musical styles including blues, jazz, R&B, and rock 'n roll, with many songs featuring the impressive trumpet playing of front man Chris Elliott.

Skyler

Third grade. Recess. As most kids wait anxiously for their turn on the slide, ride on the zip line, or shot at the four square court, another group forms around a solitary raised platform. At any other time of day, this spot would be unremarkable. But after lunch, at this elementary school, it is transformed into a stage… where Skyler would perform. And from nearby this makeshift venue, educators can witness a mini “Hard Day’s Night” moment.

From these unusual beginnings, it should be no surprise that by 6th grade, Skyler was a multi-instrumentalist (guitar, drums, piano); by 7th grade, he was sleeping on the couch, so as not disturb the sanctity of the recording studio that his bedroom had become; or that by 9th grade, he had released his first full-length, all original CD. There have been many other stops: four more original CDs before high school graduation, 20 professional and repertory theatre productions, over 250 gigs (festivals, fairs, concerts, showcases), and a year at Berklee College of Music.

With the release of his latest EP, Take You Away, -- recorded and produced by Jonathan Wyman (Halo Studios) and mastered by Adam Ayan (Gateway Mastering) – and his live band behind him, Skyler and the Band of the Thieves (named after a Taylor Swift lyric) are currently looking for their spot on the playground. Come out to a show and be ready to have a “Hard Day’s Night” moment of your own.

Dance Street Studio offers Ballet, Pre-Pointe, Pointe, Tap, Creative Dance, Jazz, Acro-Jazz, Lyrical/Contemporary, Hip-Hop & Musical Theatre for all ages. They also offer Ballet, Jazz, Choreography/Performance, Middle Eastern, Masala Bhangra, Video Dance, Zumba & Pilates for Teens & Adults. They are located in Kittery, Maine.

Extreme Air
Founded in 2003, the award-winning Extreme Air Competition Jump Rope Team performs nationally competitive single-rope, pairs, and double-dutch freestyle routines, original long-rope routines, and group choreographed routines, all to high-energy music!  For more information visit www.extremeairnh.com.



Story Telling with Shawn
With experience in early childhood education, hip-hop dance, sign language and mime, Shawn Middleton combines dramatic flair and great passion to create his unique style of storytelling. A professional storyteller for 10 years, Shawn has brought his genius for spinning yarns to communities from New England to Florida always with the goal of fostering a deep appreciation for storytelling, reading and writing. Shawn has delivered over 2,500 stories at schools, libraries, early learning centers and festivals. He has served as artist in residence at several elementary schools throughout the Northeast and led storytelling workshops across the region. Shawn is the author of the children’s book, “Sam and The Peanut Butter Crackers”. He was previously the site director for the Live and Learn After School program in Lee, NH and is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the National Association for Storytelling. Shawn graduated from the University of New Hampshire with an associate’s degree in business and bachelor’s degree in Social Work.

Pony Rides
It’s every kids dream to ride a pony, so stop by and visit with our friends from Pony Parties for Kids. Cost is $7 per ride and $2 of every ride will be donated to York Hospital’s “For Every Patient” Campaign. Jud Knox, Hospital President says: “The expanded center and renovation of current hospital space will offer patients the best, most advanced care, while helping York Hospital meet the increasing demand for surgeries and surgical procedures that has more than doubled in the past 10 years." Look for the pony rides near the big tent on Sunday. (We may also squeeze them on Saturday, so check the signs!)

Maine-ly Balloons
Maine balloon twisters Carroll & Ezekiel Chapman are a father & son team of balloon artists serving Maine and New England with their balloon zoo and entertaining antics. They will be on the main stage for an hour (see schedule), and then move into the crowd, where they will twist balloons for all ages!

The Park's Taekwondo School Junior Demonstration Team is happy to be back at Kidsfest again to share the Korean Martial Art of Taekwondo.  The team will be demonstrating many different aspects of Taekwondo including board breaking, self-defense, Olympic style sparring, hand technique and kicking drills.   Many of the past and present members of this team live in York and are excited to be performing in their hometown. The students train under Grand Master Park who is celebrating over 25 years of instruction in the seacoast area.

Dan Blakeslee
The last great American Renaissance man is gone, but his likeness lives on the shores of Massachusetts. Equal parts musician and artist, Dan Blakeslee's soul core is woven from the fabric of his surroundings. More specifically, the tangled fields and forests from the town where he was raised, South Berwick, Maine. Are you the kind of ghoul who is intrigued by tales of mystery, and ghostly superstition? Does the thought of the unknown make you shiver with fright? Then you are in for a scare! There is no spook more daunting than DOCTOR GASP! Behind the mask of this hideous creature is none other than the folk troubadour Dan Blakeslee and his bag of twisted tales. On the last breath of August when beasts and monsters wake from sleep he begins mixing the potion for his haunted creepshow.  So dust off that costume and put on those wax lips… oh yes, don't forget the fake blood. Photo credit to Rich Beauchesne.

Kidsfest 2011 Style

Foods at Harvestfest 2011

Food choices* during the festival are abundant and varied; they include the popular OX ROAST and BAKED BEANS as well as scrumptious treats such as chicken & biscuits, pulled pork sandwiches, crab cakes, lobster bisque, stuffed clams, boiled lobster, lobster rolls, clam chowder, crabmeat rolls, tuna rolls, lobster macaroni and cheese, steak & chicken tips. There will also be traditional favorites: hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, sausage subs, potato salad, chili, french fries and onion rings, fried dough, seafood chowder, a variety of desserts including fudge, whoopie pies, candy apples, warm homemade gingerbread with whipped cream, cookies, ice cream sundaes, donuts and hot apple crisp. Don’t forget to wash it down with water, soda, hot apple cider and coffee, which will also be available! This is just the list as of press time, look for even more treats when you get there!

Vendors this year include the Cape Neddick Baptist Church, Chef’s Cove Café & More, Dockside Restaurant on York Harbor, Dream Factory, Kennebunk Savings Bank, Knights of Columbus, Roundabout Diner / Chill Catering, St. Aspinquid Couples Club, Sweet Josie’s Candy Shoppe, The Meat House, Warren’s Lobster House, York Elks Lodge #2788, York Harbor Inn and the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce, your festival hosts!

*Please note, not all food items are available both days.

An Ox-Roast and Beans---a 28 Year Success Story

It all started with a cow….and a hundred or so good chamber friends, who decided 28 years ago to have an end of the season BBQ. Being the adventuresome group that they were, and still are, by the way, hamburgers and hot dogs just didn’t cut the mustard---no pun intended. No, no. Only a half an ox would do! So they built a custom BBQ pit, got some big iron racks---and we mean BIG---and low and behold, an event was born!

Three generations of Foster men have been fanning the midnight flames ever since! It takes a bit of doing to cook this beast, but the end result has brought hundreds and hundreds of people over the years from far and near, who begin lining up at 10:00am to sample the famous Harvestfest ox-roast sandwiches. And over the years, it made perfect sense to add Maine’s favorite Saturday night dish---baked beans---to the mix!! Both can be found at home plate in the York Beach Ball Field on Saturday, and Saturday only, Oct. 13^th beginning at 11:00am until it’s gone, usually in about an hour!!

2012 Harvestfest Applications will be posted here soon


Click here for the 2011 Harvestfest Crafter Application!


Click here for the 2011 Esplanade (Non-Profit) Application!


For the 2011 Harvestfest Food Vendor Application please call the Chamber at 207.363.4422

2011 Enter the Reap the Harvest Raffle

Purchase a custom designed t-shirt, hat, poster or bag to get your ticket! Oktoberfest collapsible fabric shopping bags!

Posters, t-shirts and bags are $5.00 each and earn you one raffle ticket. Hats are $15.00 each and you receive three raffle tickets.

Prior to Harvestfest, the items may be purchased at the Greater York Region Chamber’s Visitors’ Center on Rte 1 in York. During the festival, look for our Chamber Info tents to buy your raffle tickets.

There are a limited number of sets available of the 5 Harvestfest posters designed by illustrator Steve Lohtwait. Purchase of a set gets you 5 raffle tickets. The sets sell for $35 each.

The Harvest Raffle Drawing on Sunday of Harvestfest at 3:30pm at the York Beach Ballpark.