Westport Harvest Festival Returns with Bigger Fun and Lower Prices

Westport is gearing up for the highly anticipated return of the South Coast Harvest Festival, with its second annual event set to take place from September 27th to 29th at the iconic Westport Fairgrounds. This year, the festival aims to be bigger, better, and more accessible than ever, following feedback from last year's debut.

Last year, the inaugural Harvest Fest faced criticism for its high ticket prices, which many felt were out of reach for families. Michelle Sousa Peay, co-creator of the event alongside her husband Brian Peay, acknowledges the concerns, explaining that last year’s pricing was necessary to launch the event with limited funding and support. “It was our first time putting on this event, and we had to cover all costs privately, including fairgrounds rental, insurance, staff, entertainment, and more,” she says.

This year, thanks to the success and support of last year’s attendees, the organizers have managed to slash ticket prices by half. Adult admission is now $10, kids aged 5-12 can enter for $5, and children under 5 are free. “We’ve worked hard to bring costs down and make the festival more accessible to everyone,” Peay adds, hoping the reduced prices will draw an even larger crowd.

Moving forward, the Harvest Festival has significantly expanded its offerings this year. The number of marketplace vendors has tripled, providing a wide array of local goods. Food options have also increased, with notable participants like Avo's Feast serving up traditional Portuguese favorites and malasadas, Perry's Bakery offering seasonal fall treats, Blount Clam Shack dishing out clam cakes, chowder, lobster rolls, and fish and chips, and Dorothy Cox bringing caramel apples, fudge, chocolates, and ice cream. In addition, there will be a BBQ truck, taco truck, charcuterie, burgers, handhelds, gourmet café, coffee options, and plenty of local dessert vendors.

Live entertainment is a cornerstone of the festival, with performances included in the price of admission. Guests can enjoy a variety of acts, from stunt dog trick shows by Chrissy Joy and The Joy Crew to illusionist acts by Magic of Lyn, and live animal presentations by Amazing Animal Ambassadors and Eyes on Owls. Music lovers will be treated to a mix of Americana, bluegrass, and reggae by Roots Run Wild, folk and fiddler music by the Moonbellies, and acoustic classic rock, country, oldies, and hits by Glen Nunes and his trio band, Sober.

In addition to the live shows, the festival will feature a variety of attractions throughout the weekend. Richard Kaiser, one of the original pumpkin carvers from the Roger Williams Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, will be hosting live carving demos. There will also be pony rides, a petting zoo, a mechanical bull, and family-friendly yard games, ensuring there’s something for everyone.

The South Coast Harvest Festival will run from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Friday and Saturday, and from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sunday. As a special highlight, the beautifully designed garden displays will be illuminated each night, adding a magical touch to the evening.

For more information and to keep up with the latest updates, visit southcoastharvestfestival.com.