NORFOLK, Va. — Harborfest is back! Our country’s longest-running, free maritime festival kicked off at Norfolk's Town Point as it always does Friday with the Parade of Sail.
Thousands of people gathered in Town Point Park to watch international tall ships and other boats float by.
People from near and far come to Norfolk for Harborfest
For Tom Laconte, the trip to Norfolk from his hometown in northwestern New Jersey is no problem, at least on Harborfest weekend.
He told 13News Now, “We drove; it’s 299 miles from my front door.”
Laconte and his wife are attending their 35th Harborfest this weekend after a recommendation from a friend decades ago.
"They said, ‘You have to come to this, it’s fantastic,’” Laconte told 13News Now. “So we came down, had a great time and we’ve been coming ever since.”
The weekend also coincides with his wedding anniversary to his wife, Paulette. Laconte says it makes the perfect weekend away.
"It’s definitely worth it,” he said. “We wouldn’t come down here for 35 years if it wasn’t.”
Not everyone at Harborfest is a seasoned regular like Laconte. Laverne Edwards said she attended for the first time Friday with her husband.
“Oh, the weather! The weather is awesome,” Edwards explained. “I’m really enjoying it. It’s not too hot. We got a good spot, we got here early, so we can get a good seating area, and I’m really, really enjoying it.
Like Laconte, she said she’ll be coming back in the future.
"Lord willing, I would love to visit again next year," Edwards said.
Variety of vendors at Norfolk Harborfest 2024
Adel Hagez, the owner of Granby Bistro, recalls the first Harborfest in Hampton Roads. In fact, he served as one of the vendors.
“It’s like a family reunion,” he told 13News Now.
It’s the reason why he and many other business owners return for Harborfest.
“People come back and they say to us ‘I’ve been waiting all year for your jambalaya,” said Lauren Chustz, the co-owner of Real Cajun Cooking. “That makes it all worth it.”
They all lined up along Waterside Drive and they’re bringing the heat for the thousands of people set to pack the festival site.
“We’ll be serving jambalaya, gumbo, crawfish etouffee,” Chustz said.
At Town Point Park, you’ll spot a number of small businesses selling items like jewelry and clothing.
“T-shirts, Viking Celtic jewelry,” said Tinamarie Pye with Sons of Vikings. "We have books.”
Many of them woke up early to get things set up. Pye with the Sons of Vikings shop said after receiving much success last year, she had to bring the business back to Harborfest.
“It’s different from the events we usually do,” she said. “We were well received and we just enjoyed it.”
And while working, these business owners hope to catch some of the festival activities throughout the weekend.
“The fireworks!” said Marilou Bray, who owns Oyster Jewelry. “You just can’t beat it at all. It’s wonderful. It’s just a lot of fun. I mean you can have a good time and not even have to try.”
Although, they look forward to extra cash flow, they’re more excited to see new and familiar faces throughout the weekend.
“There’s so many people,” Bray said. “We love to meet all the people.”
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