By By MIKE VOSS
Contributing Editor
The 27th-consecutive Summer Festival is less than two weeks away.
“It’s shaping up good,” said Catherine Glover, the chamber’s executive director, about the upcoming festival.
“We are trying to continue with the local crafters and vendors,” she said Tuesday during a brief interview.
“We’ve got over 100 vendors this year,” Glover said.
From festival food, such as funnel cakes, to artwork, such as jewelry, vendors will offer a variety of items during the festival.
This year, as a kick-off prelude to the Summer Festival, which is set for June 11-12, a Family Fun Kick Off takes place from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. June 10 at Festival Park, where Michael’s Amusements — rides and games — will be available. A one-price arm band that allows the wearer unlimited rides is available for $20.
The Summer Festival officially gets under way at 5 p.m. June 11. The festival runs until 10 p.m. that evening. The festival resumes at 9 a.m. June 12, concluding at 10 p.m.
From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. June 11, the Craig Woolard Band, featuring Washington native Craig Woolard, will perform at the PotashCorp main stage. Although known for its beach music, the bands performs a variety of music.
The fireworks display is scheduled for 9 p.m. June 11 along Stewart Parkway.
From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. June 12, Nantucket will perform at the PotashCorp main stage. Immediately preceding that show will be a performance by Brimstone, a band composed of young musicians.
The following events and activities are among some of those planned for the festival:
June 11
• Michael’s Amusements (rides and games), 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., green space west of N.C. Estuarium.
• PotashCorp fossil search, 5 to 8 p.m., west end of Stewart Parkway.
• Beer garden, 5 to 9:30 p.m., main stage parking area at corner of Respess Street and Stewart Parkway.
June 12
• Michael’s Amusements (rides and games), 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., green space west of N.C. Estuarium.
• PCS Phosphate fossil search, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., west end of Stewart Parkway.
• Antique N.C. Highway Patrol motorcycle, 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., east end of Stewart Parkway.
• Ronald McDonald show, 11 a.m., PotashCorp main stage.
• Beer garden, 5 to 9:30 p.m., main stage parking area at corner of Respess Street and Stewart Parkway.
Summer Festival T-shirts are on sale the chamber office, located just west of Harding Square at the southern end of South Market Street. The following is the price list for T-shirts:
• Toddlers (size 3T, yellow), $10;
• Children (sizes S,M,L in light blue or green), $12;
• Adult (sizes, S,M,L,XL and XXL in white, pistachio, honey gold or paprika), $16’
• Women’s tank tops (sizes S,M,L and XL in Carolina blue or key lime), $15.
During the festival, T-shirts will be sold at the intersection of Stewart Parkway and Respess Street.
In conjunction with the festival, the Summer Festival golf tournament takes place June 12-13 at the Washington Yacht &Country Club.
Because of the festival, the Saturday Market for June 11 will be held in the open space at the corner of Main and Respess streets near the Beaufort County Arts Council headquarters.