Harmar Days are here again and after 27 years, the event shows no signs of slowing.
In fact, the Harmar Days Street Festival plans to try a few new things at this year's event, which will be held Friday through Sunday in the historic Harmar Village.
On Friday from 6 to 9 p.m., there will be a barbecue dinner for $10. Donna English, owner of the Busy Bee Restaurant on Gilman Avenue, suggested the idea as another way to make money for the Historic Harmar Bridge Company.
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"We have the trains that we are restoring over by the parking lot and we just need the extra money," she said. "We also went down to being only one day for Harmar Days (in previous years) and we wanted to bring it back to three."
The dinner will also feature food from another west side eatery, Boathouse BBQ on Virginia Street, as well as entertainment by the Marietta Dance Academy, all in the parking lot located behind the Busy Bee.
Along with crafters, food and entertainment, this year's event will also feature a car show on Sunday, according to Harmar merchant Chuck Swaney, owner of FOUND on Maple Street.
Fact Box
If you go
What: Harmar Days Street Festival.
When: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday; 8 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Where: Harmar Village; parking for Harmar flea market behind the Busy Bee Restaurant on Gilman Avenue.
Details: Barbecue dinner Friday evening in the parking lot behind Busy Bee, $10; Parade 10 a.m. Saturday; Flea market, crafters, entertainment and food. Bridge turning Saturday at 11 a.m. Car show will be held Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Entertainment schedule
Friday
6 to 9 p.m. - "Dancing in the Streets," Music by Chichester Sound Machine and a performance by Marietta Dance Academy.
Saturday
Noon - The Carnahan Brothers
1 p.m. - Erica Dodge.
2:30 p.m. - Hannah Kitchen.
4 p.m. - Pickin' on Country.
Sunday
1 p.m. - The Sundermans.
2 p.m. - High Schools That Rock.
3 p.m. - The Carnahan Brothers.
4 p.m. - Behavin' Country.
"It is open to anyone-all makes, models, years- and we will award five winners in various categories," he said. Registration is $8 and the event will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Swaney said one of the more exciting events is always the turning of the Historic Harmar Bridge, which will be Saturday at 11 a.m.
"It will start with a parade led by Brooks Harper and the Marietta Commandery # 50 (Knights Templar)," he said. "We will also have a lone bagpiper as the bridge is turning."
Swaney said for anyone who hasn't seen it, witnessing the turning of the bridge is something special.
Crafters will line Maple Street on Saturday and Sunday and anyone who has something to sell is invited to participate in the second annual Harmar Flea Market. Vendor spaces are available for $25 for both days.
A new addition to the family of merchants in Harmar Village is Ginny Guthrie, the owner of Log Cabin Country Quilts, 130 Maple St.
"I've lived in Marietta for a while but I've never been to Harmar Days," she said. "I'm really looking forward to it, especially the bridge turning."
Guthrie said she "fell in love" with the building which now houses her 13 1/2-foot quilt machine.
She is lending her skills to help raise money by donating a bright batik quilt to be raffled. The raffle money also goes to the Historic Harmar Bridge Company in an effort to boost projects in the neighborhood.
For Guthrie, the community and the camaraderie are what make Marietta and Harmar Village unique.
"You've gotta love a place that says 'Let's close down the street and have a party,'" she said.
