In Memory of Kaye Williams
Black Rock Harbor will be transformed into a festival of boats, music and fireworks on Saturday, September 6th as our community comes together to celebrate Harborfest 2025
Events that day will be taking place along the harbor with several venues being open to the public including Captain’s Cove Seaport, Port 5 Naval Veterans and the S.S. Norden Club.
List of Harborfest Events
A Tribute to Kaye williams- august 20th, 7 pm fayerweather yacht club
This presentation will look back at the life and times of Kaye Williams who came to define Black Rock Harbor for nearly a century. This tribute will examine Kaye’s many accomplishments which left a legacy that will live on for years to come.
Presenters will be Bruce Williams & Phil Blagys. The talk is free and open to the public, but due to limited seating, we are asking attendees to register by clicking the link below. And while the talk is free, we are requesting attendees to make a minimum donation of $5 to the Lighthouse Preservation Fund. Click Here to donate.
Space will be limited so register early!
CLICK HERE to Register.
presentation of the History of Black Rock Harbor- August 27th, 7 PM Fayerweather Yacht CLub
Join us for this fascinating presentation of the history of Black Rock Harbor beginning with the Pequonnocks and covering the colonial years, its role during the American Revolution, the rise of a busy trade center, the shipbuilding years and finally its transition to a largely recreational harbor that remains to this day.
Presenters will be Phil Blagys, Chair of the Black Rock History Program, Bruce Williams, History Committee member and local historian and Joe Larcheveque, member of the History Committee.
This talk is free and open to the public but due to limited seating, we are asking attendees to register by clicking the link below. Space will be limited so register early! And while the talk is free, we are asking attendees to make a minimum donation of $5 to our Lighthouse Preservation Fund. Click Here to donate.
CLICK HERE to Register.
Harborfest Walking Tour of Historic Black ROck Harbor – September 6th 10:00-12:00
Our tour will examine the many fascinating aspects of the history of our historic seaport village, a history that has defined the development of Black Rock. Topics will include Black Rock’s original settlers and the arrival of the Europeans, its role in the American Revolution and the War of 1812, the development of a commercial center during the 17th and 18th centuries, Fayerweather Lighthouse and legendary keeper Kate Moore, the transition to a largely recreational harbor and much more.
Participants will assemble at Ellsworth Field (corner of Ellsworth & Brewster) no later than 9:45. This tour will be limited to 25 people based upon a “first come, first served”. And since this tour is limited to 25 participants, please make sure to sign up only if you are sure of attending or you will deny others this opportunity. And the total walking distance will be approximately 1 mile.
Questions can be directed to history@blackrockcc.org and please put Walking Tour in the subject field.
Sorry, registration for this event is now closed.
The tour guide for this event will be Phil Blagys, Chair of the Black Rock Community Council History Program
Harborfest BOAT PARADE- September 6th at 7:30 PM (rain Date will be Sunday, September 7th)
We are pleased to return the boat parade to the Black Rock calendar. Harborfest is being run this year in memory of Kaye Williams whose innovation, drive and imagination defined Black Rock Harbor for nearly a century. Boaters are encouraged to create a theme in keeping with this spirit or boaters may choose a theme of their own. And all boaters are asked to provide a brief description of their presentation on the appropriate section of the registration form for our judges to review.
Awards will be presented for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers using the following criteria:
– 10 points for best representation of the theme
– 10 points for the most creative
– 10 points for best overall effect
The parade will begin about 7:30 PM and leave from Captain’s Cove Seaport. It will travel up the harbor and turn around just past the S.S. Norden Club. The fireworks will begin sometime around 8 PM.
Additionally, this event is being run to raise both funds and awareness for the preservation of Fayerweather Lighthouse. There is no registration fee and the fireworks show is on us, but we are asking that the participants of each boat consider making a donation to our preservation fund by Clicking Here
And finally-
Click Here to register your boat for our Great Boat Parade and Click Here for our rules and regulations. Enjoy!
Black Rock Community Council History Program