Harvestfest Weekend

Bethel Harvestfest this Saturday features Delicious Chowders, Apple Pies, Local Farms and Music!

A dozen or so professional chefs will compete for Judges’ Choice and Peoples’ Choice Awards on Saturday in the Chowdah Cook-off at the 15th Annual Bethel Harvestfest. Scrumptious concoctions will be offered by the chefs at the Sudbury Inn, Phoenix House, Rooster’s Roadhouse, Erin’s Café, Good Food Store, 22 Broad Street, Funky Red Barn, The Bethel Inn Resort, Black Diamond Steakhouse, Sunday River Brewing Co. and others. Serving will begin at noon. The Cook-off is sponsored by Sysco Foodservices and Oakhurst Dairy. Additionally, locally grown (Sunday River Farms) baked potatoes and grilled hot dogs and hamburgs will be available at the chamber tent.

All are welcomed to bake either a traditional or non-traditional apple pie and compete for the Judge’s Choice – winners in three categories will win $50 gift certificates to the Good Food Store – Yum, yum!

Music provided by Maine musicians, including Maine’s Got Talent 2012 Champion, vocalist Max Ater, will delight the crowd starting at 11 a.m., and running through 4 p.m. In addition to Max, Jewel Clark, Sam Chapman, Just Us 2, Paul Farrar and Nettie and Jen will be performing, compliments of sponsor Allen’s Coffee Brandy.

Presenting Sponsor Hancock Lumber will be displaying their Exporter of the Year Award and hosting a kids’ activity tent all day. Chainsaw carving demonstration by Stone’s Creations and sponsored by Mahoosuc Realty & Rentals will “wow!” the crowd. FREE horse- drawn wagon rides through the village are sponsored by Oxford Networks. Oakie the Oakhurst Acorn will be present to visit with the festival goers and Oakhurst will be providing a sampling booth from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Members of the newly-organized Local Food Connection and Arts and Crafts vendors will grace the village Common – there will be something for everyone!

The weekend will be loaded with activities starting Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. with the Drift Boat Championship on the Androscoggin River, all the way through to Sunday with a guided scenic bicycle ride starting (at 9 a.m.) and ending at Bethel Bicycle. Check out the full schedule at www.bethelharvestfest.com

Additional sponsorship support is provided by Pepsi Beverages Company, Atlantic Tent Company, Gleason Media Group and Dunkin’ Donuts.

The Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to come enjoy the kick-off of the harvest season here in Bethel.

Robin Zinchuk

Executive Director, Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce