News Release
Greater Portland Convention & Visitors Bureau
Contact: Angie Helton, Northeast Media Associates
(207) 653-0365 nema@maine.rr.com or
Courtney McMennamin, Public Relations for the Greater Portland Convention & Visitors Bureau (207) 772-4994 ext. 234
Portland, ME July 17, 2009- The Greater Portland Convention & Visitors Bureau is pleased to announce that the second annual Harvest on the Harbor, Maine’s Premier Food and Wine Experience, will be held October 22-24 on the water at Ocean Gateway. The three-day food & wine festival will include many wonderful new events such as the “Man Cave”, the “Harvest Haute Fashion” brought to you by the designer MADgirl, a cocktail contest and the “People’s Choice Lobster Competition” brought to you by the Maine Lobster Council.
Harvest on the Harbor promotes Maine as a culinary destination by celebrating great local chefs, wines from Maine and around the world. Last fall, Harvest on the Harbor was named one of the “Top Ten Seafood and Wine Festivals” by Coastal Living magazine and it was attended by more than 3,000 foodies from Maine and around the country.
“Following last year’s successful event, we are thrilled to bring you the second annual Harvest on the Harbor,” said Barbara Whitten, President of the Greater Portland Convention & Visitors Bureau. “This event highlights Maine’s culinary scene and helps promote this vibrant area but it also shows off the artistic and creative scene we have here. We realize that this event would not be possible without the enthusiastic support of this wonderful community and sponsors.”
This fall, there will be even more incredible local foods, exceptional wines from Maine and around the world, amazing chefs and presentations—and fun on Portland’s waterfront.
Here is a list of a few of events during the three-day festival:
On Thursday October 22, The Grand Tasting will feature nearly 100 different wines, beers and spirits complementing 20 award winning chefs’ signature canapés.
On Friday, October 23, lobster lovers and even those curious about the crustacean cuisine will want to experience the elaborate flavors created by Maine chefs at the Maine Lobster Promotional Council’s “People’s Choice Awards.” A distinguished panel of judges will select three of the top recipes entered into the contest, and then attendees of the competition get the opportunity to taste all three lobster dishes and vote on their favorite.
Saturday, October 24, will see the massive Food & Wine Marketplace with more than one hundred wineries, breweries and distilleries, food artisans and epicurean purveyors on hand for your food and wine experience.
New to the marketplace this year is The “Man Cave” - but it’s not just for men. Everyone will want to enjoy this unique experience. The Man Cave will offer a dwelling where you and your buddies can sample some of Maine’s best brewed beers and some great grilled food.
Also on Saturday, food and wine meets fashionista MADgirl at this year’s event with “Harvest Haute Fashion.” MADgirl, aka Meredith Alex, is a local yet nationally acclaimed fashion designer who creates larger than life dress sculptures with unusual and yet perfectly appropriate materials. The art installation of dresses will be 10-12 feet tall and worn by live models. The dress sculptures will be adorned in the harvest motif such as ruffles of mussels, lobster and oyster shells, trimmed with dried apple peels, a hat of wine corks and grapes.
Finally, the day ends with a Surf & Turf Soiree, a sustainable culinary sampling from our Maine fishermen and farmers.
Sponsors of the event include Down East magazine, Hannaford Supermarkets and WHOM 94.9FM.
John Viehman, Vice President of Down East magazine added, “Harvest on the Harbor is Maine’s premier food-and-wine event, hands down. Not only does it bring together the best chefs alongside food and beverage producers, but it showcases the best of Maine on all levels—from what and where to eat or drink... to where to find it... to great places to stay while you’re enjoying it all. Those of us who live here know that there’s a big part of Maine you can taste, and thanks to Harvest on the Harbor, it’s a best-kept secret that the world is now hearing about!“
For more information on the event please visit www.HarvestontheHarbor.com
Please stay tuned for more details about the upcoming press party in September.
About the Greater Portland Convention & Visitors Bureau
The mission of the Greater Portland Convention & Visitors Bureau is to stimulate the economic vitality of Greater Portland by soliciting and servicing conventions, meetings, groups, and visitors and by promoting Greater Portland as a preferred destination.
