Gloucester Schooner Festival – September 2 – 4, 216
Gloucester Harbor
The 32nd annual Gloucester Schooner Festival takes place on Labor Day weekend. It’s Gloucester’s major marine event, with participating vessels coming from ports along the Eastern Seaboard. There are both large and small vessels—ranging from 19 feet to over 125 feet in length. The Mayor’s Race is the signature event of the Schooner Festival and takes place on Sunday, with over 20 large schooners expected to compete. The Schooner Festival also offers plenty of shore side events including Maritime Heritage Day on Saturday and the Parade of Sail on Sunday morning along the Boulevard promenade (Stacy Boulevard, Route 127) as the large schooners head out to sea for the Mayor’s Race. gloucesterschoonerfestival.net

(Photo Credit: Arlene Taliadoros)

St. Peter’s Fiesta – Each June, on the weekend closest to the Feast Day of St. Peter, the Italian-American fishing community of Gloucester comes together to celebrate the patron saint of fishermen, St. Peter. The St. Peter’s Fiesta of recent years provides a varied program certain to be of interest to all. The entire Italian-American section of Gloucester is decorated with flags, bunting, colored lights and streamers. Music is played on the bandstand every evening of the Fiesta and on Sunday morning an open air mass is conducted in the square. Later in the afternoon, the crowds witness the blessing of the fishing fleet. Street vendors and a small carnival create a festive experience. Various sporting events are held each day, including the Greasy Pole and the Seine Boat Race. St. Peter’s Fiesta is a long-standing Gloucester tradition and a feast for the senses.
stpetersfiesta.org

(Photo Credit: David Cox)

Now in its 5th year, the Gloucester Blues Festival annual event brings blues lovers from far and wide to Gloucester, Massachusetts. Make sure to get your tickets early as music lovers from throughout the Northeast will look to get the best seats in this beautiful harbor side park.

World-class blues will reverberate through the park with some of the nation’s finest performers playing from the Gloucester Blues stage. This year’s list of performers includes: Tas Cru, Anika Chambers, Bruce Katz, Sean Chambers, Slam Allen, Mr.Sipp and Popa Chubby.

Located right on the harbor at beautiful Cressey’s Beach, the event will have a beer/wine garden and outstanding food and craft vendors. Bring your own chairs or blankets (sorry, no pets, no beach umbrellas, no carry-ins and no coolers).

Tickets are $28.00 in advance or $40.00 at the gate. VIP seats $50.00 online March 1st. Advance tickets are available online or at the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce (City Blues sponsor) up until August 2.

City onsite parking is $15.00.

GloucesterBluesFestival.com

Historic Stage Fort Park along Gloucester Harbor blossoms into the colorful Annual Gloucester Waterfront Festival each year.

Over 50,000 people attend this spectacular event and view the works of over 200 Juried Artists and Craftsmen from throughout the U.S.A. Continuous live music, traditional New England Seafood, a fabulous pancake breakfast and Antique Cars complement this picture perfect seaport event!

Exhibits include Fine Jewelry, Watercolors, Pottery, Custom Signs, Bird Houses, Quilts, Silk & Dried Floral Arrangements, Wildlife Art, Dolls, Pressed Flowers, Painted Antiques, Photography, Metal Sculpture, Sand stone, Carved Birds, Maps, Fiber Arts, Stained Glass, Music Boxes, Scroll Work, Masks, Candles, Copper, Wood Burning, Slate, Tapestry Bags, Nautical Crafts, Shaker Style Furniture, Oils, Primitive and Folk Art.

Come and sample an array of gourmet delights such as Herbal Dips, Trail Mixes, Jams & Jellies, Maple Products, Dried Fruit & Nuts, Salsa, Mustards, Vinegar’s and more.

Free live “family style” entertainment includes Contemporary Rock, Folk Music and performance art.

North Shore Old Car Club will display over 75 Antique Autos on Sunday.

The Gloucester Waterfront Festival runs from 9am to 6pm each day.

Handicap Accessible and friendly pets, on a leash, are welcome.
Location: Stage Fort Park, 24 Hough Avenue in Gloucester, MA.

Directions: From Route 128 North to Exit 14.
Admission is FREE and the Festival is held Rain or Shine.

For more information, visit capeannchamber.com.