Attendees enjoying live entertainment at a prior year’s festival. Courtesy photo.
– The first weekend in October, the city of Morro Bay will celebrate its 34th annual Harbor Festival.
New this year, the festival’s main event will be held all on one-day – Saturday, Oct. 3. The “Pedestrian Event Zone,” taking place from noon to 9 p.m. will also have a new location – at the water’s edge on the Embarcadero between Harbor and Marina Streets.
Also new this year – admission to the festival is free and attendees are encouraged to park anywhere in town and take the free Trolley to and from the event.
Festival-goers will be able to purchase fresh seafood from local fishermen at a variety of locations along the Embarcadero. This includes including oysters, albacore, and spot prawns from the Morro Bay Fisherman’s Association, rock fish and tacos from South Bay Wild, and assorted fish and fish chowder from the Central Coast Women for Fisheries. Additionally, maritime-heritage venues, mini-yacht races, water-craft demonstrations and harbor boat tours in the Bay will be offered. Local wine and beer will be available for sale at the festival along with a variety of other food, all from local vendors.
Throughout the day, the festival will feature music from three local bands and activities on the main stage including:
12:30 – Deep Blue (Blues)
2 – Oyster Eating Contest
3 – Shameless (Blues and Classic Rock)
4:30 – Hawaiian Shirt Contest
5:30 – Hot Tina (Punk, Indie and Rock)
7:15 – Headliner Band – Abba Fab (Disco and sing along)
8:45 – Fireworks over the Harbor
This year, local Morro Bay businesses and vendors will be presenting and selling their wares at the Harbor Festival. Ocean-related agencies will also provide information about local resources.
Special activities:
Sub Sea Tours – 45 min. narrated tour, each hour on the hour (12 p.m. – 5 p.m.) – $14 adults, $6 kids 3-12, under 2 free
Whale Watching Tours – 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – $40 adults, $35 kids
Captain Stew’s Boat Cruise – 50 min tour with visit to Sand Spit – each hour on the hour (11 a.m. – 5 p.m.) – $10 adults, $5 kids, under 2 free
Bay Cruisers Tiki Boat Tours – 50 min tour with visit to the Sand Spit, each hour on the hour (11 a.m. – 5 p.m.) – $10 adults, $5 kids, under 2 free
- Champagne Brunch Cruise – 11 a.m., two hrs – $45
- Harbor Festival Fireworks Cruise – includes appetizers, beautiful views of Morro Bay and fireworks; 8 p.m., 2 hrs – $35
Pappagalo Cruises – Special onboard nautical events
First Annual Harbor Festival Cup Races – starts 11 a.m. with three races. Morro Bay Yacht Club will award a trophy.
Sand Castle Challenge – Morro Bay High School Cheerleaders vs Football team – harbor festival board will judge
Morro Bay Dance Co. – performances throughout the day
Skateboarding Demos – throughout the day
Morro Bay Fire Department – demonstrations of some of their latest fire safety and rescue techniques
Central Coast Roller Derby – girls will provide demos on street throughout the day
- Touch tank for kids
- Harbor Patrol Boat Tours – includes squirting fire water for kids, water rescue demonstrations and equipment show and tell.
As is the tradition with the Morro Bay Harbor Festival, a portion of the net proceeds will go to a Morro Bay non-profit organization. This year, the selected organization will be the Central Coast Maritime Museum.
More information about 34th Annual Morro Bay Harbor Festival is available on the website – www.mbhf.com or by contacting the Morro Bay Harbor Festival Office at (805) 772-1155 and by email at info.mbhf@gmail.com.
