The fun begins early for the 26th annual HarborFest Dock Day on Sunday, June 5. At 10 a.m., the Parent Resource Center (PRC) will open the Family Fun Park on the Town Dock, sponsored by Sandata. There will be activities and entertainment all day, plus more fun at the Model Boat Regatta in Baxter’s Pond, and children’s workshops at Art in the Park in Sunset Park.
The PRC will have a train ride, photo booth and exciting games, crafts and activities in the Fun Tent, all sponsored by Alana Mitnick Benjamin and Nava Mitnick of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty, Port Beer & Soda, Shining Studios, Tori’s Place and Whole Foods Market Manhasset. The Science Museum of Long Island will offer hands-on fun with a touch tank, Mad Science will have goo-making and other educational entertainment, and the Port Washington Tennis Academy will have mini tennis courts set up. Plus, a dozen other local organizations and businesses will have activities, science fun, sports and crafts so the kids will never get bored.
The Fun Park also features free family entertainment all day on the Family Fun Stage. The children’s entertainment will kick off at 10 a.m. with Mrs. Meltzer’s kindergarten class saying the “Pledge of Allegiance” and singing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” and “America the Beautiful.” At 10:10 a.m., Port’s own Hannah Ericsson and Sophia Schleibeler will sing “The Star Spangled Banner.” Then at 10:15 a.m., the much anticipated Talented Kids of Port Washington Show will begin. After the Talent Show, at noon, Shining Studios will give a performance. At 12:30 p.m., there will be a performance by Danceworks Studio. At 1 p.m.
there will be an exciting show by the hip hop group from Port Washington Teen Center. At 1:20 p.m., Voice Academy students will perform. Starting at 2 p.m., iSchool of Music will present “The Bands of HarborFest.” The Family Fun Stage is sponsored by Camp Jacobson, Diane’s Place Hair Salon, Healthy Kids Pediatrics, Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, Massage Envy and Sherwin-Williams.
Adding to the fun at HarborFest is the opening of the Treasure Chest from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children who participated in the two-week long HarborFest Treasure Hunt received chances to win one of many prizes donated by local merchants. Of course, all children will be winners—even the consolation prizes are great. The Treasure Hunt is sponsored and organized by Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty with major sponsorship from Dance Arts Centre. One of the most exciting things for kids of all ages will be the demonstration of the Port Washington Fire Department’s new Fire Boat. The demonstrations will be in Manhasset Bay at the Town Dock ramp.
If you want a taste of nostalgia, the whole family can catch a free ride on the North Fork Trolley, sponsored by the Greater Port Washington BID. The trolley will serve as one of the shuttles to take people between the train station and the Town Dock.
For budding artists, Art in the Park will have a special free workshop for children called Fun With Clay beginning at noon. They will also have button making all day. Art in the Park is organized and sponsored by The Art Guild with additional sponsorship from the Knickerbocker Bay Club.
Kids and their families can take a cruise aboard the beautiful Charles II. This boat serves as Port Washington’s own Water Taxi and is offering special cruises around Manhasset Bay throughout HarborFest. Children ages five and older and their families can board the schooner SoundWaters for a sail around the Bay and back. Sails leave at 12, 2 and 4 p.m.
This year’s environmental education project will tackle the issue of plastics in our environment and will involve the fifth graders from all of Port Washington’s elementary schools. Students will learn that recycling alone is not the answer. Grassroots Environmental Education, a Port Washington-based nonprofit, has designed the project and worked with the children. It is sponsored by Newsday Media Group.
Families can browse the craft and merchant booths and satisfy their hunger at the Fabulous Food Court. HarborFest offers tons of fun for everyone, so come to the Town Dock on Sunday, June 5, and plan to spend the whole day. For more information about HarborFest, call the Port Washington Chamber of Commerce at 516-883-6566, email office@
pwcoc.org or visit www.pwcoc.org/harborfest.shtml.
