Cape Ann Chamber’s Festival by the Sea Returns on Saturday, August 4

Over one hundred reasons to be in downtown Manchester-by-the-Sea this weekend!

On Saturday, August 4, Manchester’s summertime celebration of local art, music and food, Festival by the Sea, returns to downtown. The popular annual event will feature more than 120 vendors ranging from artists and artisans to jewelers and crafters and food vendors. It will stretch from Town Hall Common throughout downtown and into Reed’s and Masconomo Parks. Chamber events planner Kerry McKenna sums it up by saying, “Festival by the Sea embodies the beauty, comfort and satisfaction of living by the sea!  Organizing it brings a strong sense of community, and participating in it — either as a vendor or a festival-goer — will delight everyone with the beauty and the abundance of local art, crafts and food.  It is a wonderful day for all — family and friends.”

Visitors will find not only beautiful artwork and hand-crafted jewelry, but also a variety of foods and beverages provided by local restaurants and food trucks, including a Beer Garden with popular Ipswich Ale brews.  On the Masconomo Park bandstand, there will be live music throughout the day featuring many Cape Ann favorites. Other popular local musicians will be performing at the Town Green from Noon to 4 pm.  The Manchester Library will also be holding their annual “Giant Book Sale” and our downtown shopkeepers will be open and welcoming visitors to Manchester. Festival by the Sea begins at 10 am and continues until 6 pm, with food, music, beer and wine in Masconomo Park all day long. In the event of inclement weather, the rain date will be the following day, Sunday, August 5. For more information, go to our Facebook page: facebook.com/festivalbythesea

The event is free and there will be ample parking and a free shuttle to and from the satellite parking areas at Manchester Essex Regional High School (36 Lincoln Street) and Cricket Press (50 Summer Street), compliments of Beauport Ambulance.  Mark your calendar and pack your blanket for a day of great music, inspired artistry and delicious foods.

Festival by the Sea is produced and presented by the Manchester Division of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, and sponsored by People’s United Bank, Applied Materials, Renewal by Anderson, North Shore 104.9, Kelly Automotive, Cape Ann Savings Bank, Beauport Ambulance and The Manchester Essex Rotary Club.