lookout point
HarborFest welcomes new music
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By Pam Christensen he Marquette West Rotary Club was founded in 1984, and since that time, has organized a festival in Ellwood Mattson Lower Harbor Park on the weekend before Labor Day weekend. Initially, the festival focused on seafood, and was eagerly awaited by seafood aficionados. As seafood became easier to get, the group transitioned to a celebration of the end of summer combining quality music, beverages and food. This community festival raises money for the club to award in grants to local non-profit organizations. During the past 38 years, the organization has awarded more than $700,000 to local organizations providing services and programs that improve the quality of life for families, children, teens, adults and seniors. There is no charge to attend the festival, but sponsorships, vendor fees, wristband and beverage sales all support the musical entertainment. Bryan Lopac started his term as Marquette West Rotary Club President on July 1, 2022. He has served as HarborFest co-chairperson for the past three years. He looks forward to the energy generated from the festival that will be held on Friday, August 26 and Saturday, August 27. “Many elements of the festival are the same from year to year, but we like to mix things up a bit too,” Lopac said. “This year, we have a great musical line-up and some partnerships that will offer something new. Shorts
The HarborFest crew, of all ages and talents, works to make the festival a success each year. (Photo courtesy of Marquette West Rotary Club)
Brewing will be one of our beverage partners, and they will be brewing a special HarborFest beer for us. We will be using the arabesque tent that has been synonymous with our festival, but it will stay up for the Marquette Blues Festival the following week. This allows both clubs to share in some of the costs associated with each festival.” The club will also be offering attendees the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for two prize drawings to be held during the festival, as well as information on Rotary projects, grants and membership. The club has about 40 members and is finding it harder to hold a suc-
While the food is a draw, the entertainment is what keeps people coming back to HarborFest. (Photo courtesy of Marquette West Rotary Club)
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Marquette Monthly
August 2022
cessful festival each year. Volunteers are critical to the success of the festival, and community members and grantees help staff the token and beer tents. Local food vendors add to the festival atmosphere with a variety of selections. Kyle Danek is vendor coordinator this year and has worked to find vendors who offer a diverse menu of food and beverage items. “We have a variety of food and beverages this year from lemonade to kettle corn, tacos, burgers, hot dogs and barbecue,” he said. “We have a mix of new and former vendors who all offer something a little different.” Vendors who have committed to this year’s festival are Rollin Smoke, The Islands, Dia De Los Tacos (Friday only), Manny Mags Mexican Food Truck, Summertime Squeeze Lemonade, Jimmy Krack Korn, Lakeshore Depot, Superior Culture and Doozers. Music is what HarborFest is known for, and entertainment committee chairperson Jim LaJoie has also changed things up this year. “We have some new bands taking the stage this year, and we think the audience will really enjoy what they see,” he said. LaJoie is also proud of the fact that Uncle Ugly will be performing on Friday night. Uncle Ugly is a northern Michigan rock band that was formed in Marquette in 1988. A crowd favorite, their appearance brings some nostalgia to the HarborFest stage. Joining Uncle Ugly on Friday will be the Band Reverend and the Day-