The seventh annual Rockport HarvestFest, set for Saturday, October 15 from 10 am to 6 pm, is rapidly approaching. Begun in 2005 as a new way for families to celebrate Rockport in the fall, this year’s edition of Rockport’s newest tradition keeps many festival favorites while offering a full menu of appetizing additions. The Rockport Festivals Committee, with strong support from the Rockport Chamber of Commerce, is once again coordinating this year’s event and giving Rockport’s HarvestFest great vitality and fun for all.

Food-lovers of all tastes will be entertained throughout the day on Saturday, and the day will be filled with live music as well, including featured performers Brad Byrd, the Merrimack Valley Rounders, Daniel Dye and the Miller Road Band, and Rockport’s own Legion Band. Enjoy the Scarecrow Stroll, hayrides, and the second edition of the ‘Local Fare Fair’ under the big tent on T-wharf. This year’s line-up includes Northwood (N.H.) Sugarworks, a regular at the weekly Cape Ann Farmers’ Market and Rockport’s Roy Moore Lobster Company, as well as cooking demonstrations and a Seafood Throwdown. Cape Ann Brewing Co. will once again be offering a selection of their local brews from noon to 5pm.

Rockport Music will offer a free children’s ‘Make Your Own Instruments’ program from 11 to 1 on Saturday, plus a full weekend of music at its Shalin Liu Performance Center, including a Livingston Taylor concert on Friday, October 14 at 8 pm, Donizetti’s ‘Anna Bolena’ from the Met Live in HD at 1 pm on Saturday, October 15, and the Brentano String Quartet on Sunday, October 16 at 3 pm.

More Rockport HarvestFest information, including a full and regularly updated schedule of events, is now available online at rockportartfestivals.com