Get out for some summer fun at the fifth annual HarborFest Chula Vista’s Bayside Park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Aug. 19.
The free, family event at 999 Bayside Parkway features three stages of live entertainment. The main stage will have Indie Rock music; second stage is Latin inspired with Cumbia, Norteño and Salsa music. A third stage will be a community stage that showcases talented people in Chula Vista.
Other HarborFest activities include a car show, free kayaking, yoga sessions every 30 minutes, free paddle boarding and a green zone which highlights environmental friendly efforts in Chula Vista. A kid’s zone will have jumpers and bouncy houses. New this year is an interactive mobile bus that educates children on protecting the ocean. Children will also fish off the pier and attempt to catch real fish.
There will be a variety of food and drink options from an all you can eat taco and spirit area to 40 different craft beers and champagne and wine tasting bar.
“What is really great about this event is we have three bars,” said Laurel McFarlane, CEO of McFarlane Promotions, the event organizer. “You don’t have to be like most festivals were you have to be in a beer garden, you can grab your margarita or your beer and walk around and watch your kids or car show.”
HarborFest also welcomes pets as they compete for pet prizes in a pet parade. Afterwards, pets can enjoy some leisure time in the pet oasis.
McFarlane said HarborFest has come along way since its beginnings five years ago. McFarlane said the event happened in the marina’s parking lot. She said it was a very small event with a few vendors and a small platform stage. McFarlane said when she took over event organizing for HarborFest a few years ago, she moved the event away from the parking lot and into to the park. She said that is when the event really took off.
“I think I created a festival where my kids would have a blast and that I would enjoy as well,” she said. “There is no excuse not to come because you can’t say there is not something you would like.”
