City of Boston kicks-off 36th annual Harborfest

Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the City of Boston will kick-off the 36th annual Boston Harborfest at Faneuil Hall Marketplace on Friday, June 30 at 11:00 a.m.

"Boston is the perfect place to celebrate our nation's independence," said Mayor Walsh. "Every year, Harborfest partners give residents and visitors the opportunity to celebrate Boston's unique history and diverse waterfront and harbor with exciting events and activities. I encourage everyone to attend this wonderful, inclusive event."

Boston Harborfest is a multi-day festival with activities celebrating American Independence, honoring the city's colonial roots, and showcasing Boston's vibrant harbor. Mayor Walsh will be joined by Rear Admiral Steven Poulin, First Commander, United States Coast Guard Sector Boston; Commander Robert Gerosa, Captain, USS Constitution; Pat Moscaritolo, President and Chief Executive Officer, Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau; Joe O'Malley, General Manager of Faneuil Hall Marketplace; and Harborfest partners during the celebration to kick-off the festival.

Residents, visitors and businesses are invited to participate in the patriotic opening ceremony, which will feature The 215 Army Band who will lead the crowd in singing the National Anthem, and the ceremonial cutting of the Harborfest cake. Mayor Walsh, Commander Poulin, and Commander Gerosa and special guests will use a cutglass (sword) to cut the cake, provided by Faneuil Hall Marketplace and created by Montilio's. National Park Service Park Rangers and Freedom Trail® Players, dressed in 18th-century costume, will be on hand to offer historical information about Faneuil Hall and other sites along the Freedom Trail.

Held from June 30 through July 4, Harborfest celebrates the colonial and maritime heritage of America's independence in Boston. Over the years, Harborfest has grown from a local event to a national celebration. In 1982 there were 35 activities over the course of three days. Now in its 36th year, Harborfest is considered to be the country's largest Fourth of July festival with hundreds of activities over a 5-day period at Boston's best landmarks.

The family-friendly event includes the annual opening ceremony at Faneuil Hall, historical reenactments, Freedom Trail® tours and historic sites' programs and events, activities along Boston Harbor, live entertainment, and much more. Harborfest will feature highlights at Christopher Columbus Park throughout the holiday weekend. Arts at Harborfest, a curated preview to the September Boston Area Festival, will return on Saturday, July 1 followed by a performance from Sweet Harmony and a screening of Yankee Doodle Dandy. Sunday will reintroduce Chowderfest where attendees may vote on the best creations from local restaurants.  

For more Harborfest information and a list of activities, please call 617-439-7700 or visit  www.Bostonharborfest.com