FILE PHOTO BY PAULA MULLER
Stone Robinson, 2, digs into strawberries and whipped cream as he waits for the parade to begin at the Swampscott Strawberry Festival.
BY GAYLA CAWLEY
SWAMPSCOTT — Residents seeking fun this weekend don’t need to look any further than their backyard.
Summer activities will kick off in Swampscott on Saturday with the Harbor Festival at Fisherman’s Beach.
The festival is bigger this year, and was organized by the Recreation Department with help from the Swampscott Yacht Club, Swampscott Rotary Club, Reach Arts, Friends of Swampscott Sailing, For the Love of Swampscott, YMCA, Why Knot Fishing and Eagle Scout Lars Purcell.
“We wanted to put something together that would interest all different kinds of people,” said Danielle Strauss, Recreation director.
By getting more groups involved, Strauss said it created a think tank, where ideas could be brainstormed.
Early birds can take part in the Why Knot Fishing Tournament, which starts at 4 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m.
The Summer Striper Showcase will cost participants $35 and each angler will compete for the longest combined inches of their two best fish. Special prizes will be given for the biggest fish, smallest fish, best fish caught on the kayak, best fly caught fish, best lady angler and best fish caught by kids.
Other activities include a Blessing of the Fleet by the Yacht Club. A pastor from the Church of the Holy Name will bless the boats and say a prayer for safe sailing and calm winds, Strauss said.
For the Love of Swampscott is contributing a dunk tank. Participants pay a small fee and the money raised will be donated to the schools.
While most of the Harbor Festival events are free, food is not. The Yacht Club will host a lobster bake at 6 p.m. The Swampscott High School sailing team will sell pizza. There will also be a barbeque with hamburgers and hot dogs.
The festival runs on the beach from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
“The Harbor Festival is celebrating our harbor and what it has to offer while celebrating our community,” Strauss said.
Sunday’s Strawberry Festival starts at 4 p.m. with a parade from Humphrey Street to Town Hall. The festival will be on the lawn and feature a kick off to the Swampscott by the Sea Summer Concert Series.
The Navigators, a band that includes four Swampscott residents, will perform at 5 p.m Their music includes a mix of jazz, rock and funk, with covers of bands including the Beatles, Earth, Wind & Fire and Steely Dan.
Food sold at the festival will include strawberry shortcake, hamburgers and hot dogs, Strauss said. The event runs from 4 to 8 p.m.
Summer events in Swampscott are important to create a sense of community, where people get to know each other, Strauss said.
“I think it makes our community more liveable,” Strauss said. “A town is just a town where people live. When you create these events and bring people together, you become a community.”
Gayla Cawley can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @GaylaCawley
