With the end of the Huttleston Marketplace after the restructuring of the Office of Tourism, the town of Fairhaven will now have two outdoor markets this summer.
Huttleston HarborFest will be run by the town’s Economic and Community Development Department and will be held at Grimshaw Park. The North Fairhaven Open Air Market will be operated under the auspices of the North Fairhaven Improvement Association at Livesey Park.
Huttleston HarborFest
A new community event is making waves in Fairhaven! Huttleston HarborFest, a themed monthly festival, will launch in 2025 at Fort Phoenix’s Grimshaw Park, bringing fresh energy to a long-overlooked space.
Once home to the beloved Grimshaw’s Clambake Pavilion, the area has remained underutilized since its closing in 1966. The introduction of Huttleston HarborFest not only brings a vibrant new event series to town but also sets the stage for future community gatherings at the park, benefiting both residents and the Fairhaven Council on Aging, which oversees the property.
“This is more than just an event—it’s a chance to breathe new life into a space with so much potential,” said Alyssa Botelho, Community Development Coordinator. “Huttleston HarborFest will celebrate Fairhaven’s coastal charm, history, and creative community while revitalizing Grimshaw Park as a hub for local gatherings.”
Each month, Huttleston HarborFest will feature a unique theme, offering visitors an immersive experience filled with local vendors, artisans, entertainment, and more:
• Sat., 5/31 – “Liberty by the Sea” (Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution)
• Sat., 6/21 – “Jaws 50th Anniversary”
• Sat., 7/19 – “Dog Days of Summer”
• Sat., 8/23 – “A Splash of Art”
• Sat., 9/20 – “A Medieval Faire”
Vendor applications are now open, with limited spots available. Organizers will prioritize vendors whose offerings align with the event’s themes. Those interested in participating are encouraged to complete the Vendor Interest Form at www.discoverfairhaven.org/huttlestonharborfest2025.
Time will be 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. In the event of rain, the event will be the follow day, Sunday.
Fees: $50 for tent vendors; $75 for food trucks; $25 for electricity (one shared generator available), or vendors should bring their own generators.
Discover Fairhaven is the official tourism, economic, and community development department of the Town of Fairhaven, dedicated to promoting local events, businesses, and the town’s rich cultural and historical assets.
North Fairhaven Market
Starting in June, Livesey Park in Fairhaven will become the summertime home of the North Fairhaven Open Air Market, sponsored by the North Fairhaven Improvement Association.
The market will be held on Saturdays in June, July, August and September, except for the last Saturday in June. The hours are 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
A variety of local vendors will offer hand made crafts, art, photography, fresh farm produce, antiques and vintage collectibles, and more. On some weeks we will be joined by Youth Vendors, ages 11-16, selling items they have made themselves. The North Fairhaven Open Air Market does not accept vendors of brand name, commercially made direct sales products.
Booth spaces to fit a 10’x10’ pop-up canopy are $15 per week, for as many weeks as are chosen. The season has 16 Saturdays. Youth Vendor spaces are $5 per week, for ages 11 to 16, and it is required an adult is present at the booth. Fairhaven non-profit groups and official Town of Fairhaven departments and committees may have one free spot each month.
Some special activities are in the works, so stay tuned for future announcements.
Free Non-Profit Space
The North Fairhaven Open Air Market is offering other Fairhaven non-profit groups and official Town of Fairhaven departments and committees free booth space. The spaces may be used for fundraising, community outreach, or to provide a service such as selling food or providing a fun activity. Groups may select one Saturday each month, for a total of four free weeks if desired.
This is a perfect opportunity for non-profit organizations, school groups and PTOs, and other civic groups to promote themselves to the community.
The Market Manager of the North Fairhaven Open Air Market is volunteer Chris Richard, who created and ran the Huttleston Marketplace for about seven years before his retirement from the Fairhaven Office of Tourism in May 2024.
To find out more about the North Fairhaven Open Air Market, email NorthFairhavenMarket@gmail.com
An application form can be downloaded at https://tinyurl.com/34um2e2a
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