The Port Laken Summer Festival turns 35 this year, and Events Director Christina Alvarez has been working since September to make sure the anniversary shows.
"We asked people what they wanted more of and what they wanted less of," Alvarez said. "The answers were clear: more local food, more live music variety, more things for teenagers, and please, for the love of everything, more shade."
FRIDAY, JULY 17: OPENING DAY
The festival opens with the parade at 5 PM on Main Street. This year's theme, "Port Laken Through the Decades," traces the city's history from its fishing village origins to the present. The main stage opens at 7 PM with a six-act showcase including soul trio The Aldridge Sisters, jazz-funk group Meridian, and blues guitarist Marcus Webb.
SATURDAY, JULY 18: THE BIG DAY
Gates open at 11 AM with all 40-plus food vendors active and the newly introduced Heritage Kitchen, featuring recipes from Port Laken's immigrant communities prepared by community members, not restaurants.
Saturday's main stage headliner is The Harbor Lights, the San Francisco-based indie group whose most recent record spent six weeks on the Americana charts.
SUNDAY, JULY 19: FAMILY DAY AND THE 5K
The Harbor Fun Run 5K begins at 7 AM Sunday. Registration opens March 1 at portlakenfestival.org/5k. Capacity has been increased to 1,000 this year.
Sunday closes at 8 PM with an 18-minute harbor fireworks display. Admission is free all three days.