13th Annual Kennebunkport Festival June 5-10, 2017
Its festival time in KPT. The Kennebunkport Festival, now over a decade old, is forever young, fabulous and rich ~ loaded with events revolving around eating, drinking, admiring art and socializing in this 1653 charming seaside setting.
The Festival is the pride and joy of Maine Magazine with event tickets priced from $15 for Brews and Tunes – now called the Maine Craft Music Festival, to cocktail parties each night at $45, to as much as $225 for exclusive Chef dinners at private mansions on the beach, Ocean Ave and at Vinegar Hill Music Theatre.
A portion of the Kennebunkport Festival proceeds go to a local Maine charity – Full Plates Full Potential. But mostly it’s about sampling local Chefs best bites, sipping cocktails by the sea, seeing and being seen in the famous town of Kennebunkport!
From the cocktail parties at Old Vines Wine Bar, Kennebunkport Inn, On The Marsh, The Colony and The White Barn, to the after parties, the big Spirit of Maine soiree under the tent at Pilot House Boatyard and the Grand Finale at David’s KPT, it’s a festival infused with high spirit, flowing spirits, music, surrounded by Maine art and scenery.
It’s hardly a locals event, instead its hobnobbing aboard Hinckley’s at Chicks Marina with the publication folks from Portland, dining at private homes with top chefs from around the state and the well-heeled from all over. It’s pay to play, dress to impress, with the exception of Saturday’s Maine Craft Music Festival which is a causal outdoor concert venue on the Captain Lord Mansion lawn – River Green.
Similarly the after hours are casual, no admission fee – just come as you are, cash bar. Over all the Festival is a feel good, do good event – and it’s a weeklong succession of back to back parties so remember it’s a Maine marathon of eating and drinking, not a sprint…
Here is the Kport Fest schedule of events, who’s who and what’s going on where!
Monday, June 5 Kennebunkport Festival Events
Gratitude cocktail party at On the Marsh– the hosts of the private dinners are hosted – sold out.
Tuesday, June 6 Kennebunkport Festival Events
Cocktails at Kennebunkport Inn Burleigh 5 – 7 pm $45
Tuesday Private Art of Dining Dinners 7 – 10 pm Tickets $195
Heather & Greg Burke Residence Art of Dining featuring Chef from Union at Press Hotel
Burke Residence Art of Dining featuring Chef Jackson of Salt & Honey
Feingold Residence Art of Dining featuring Chef Avery of Black Tie Co.
Hurlbutt Residence Dinner featuring Chefs Megan and Kevin of Tapestry Boston
Kuehnle Residence dinner featuring Chef John Shaw of Tides Beach Club
Genest Residence Art of Dining featuring Chef German of Ports of Italy
Molloy Residence featuring Chef Rick of Cliff House
Old Vines Wine Bar Art of Dining featuring Chef Joel Souza
Pear Tree Farm Dinner featuring Chefs Daniel & Peggy from Kitchen Chicks
Wednesday, June 7 Kennebunkport Festival Events
Cocktails at The Colony 5 – 7 pm $45
Wednesday Private Art of Dining Dinners 7 – 10 pm
Burke Residence at 82 Ocean featuring Grace Chef Adam Flood
Gillard Residence Dinner featuring Chef Dan of Green Elephant
Julian Residence featuring Chef Matt of Evo
Raffaelli Residence featuring Chef Harding Lee Smith of The Rooms
Rice Residence featuring Chef Emil Rivera of Sur Lie
Turner/Bull Residence featuring Chef Mel of Fiddleheads
Pressly Residence featuring Chef Romann of Northern Union
Keller Residence Art of Dining featuring Chef Pierre of Ocean at Cape Arundel inn
Bette Residence Art of Dining featuring Chef Guy of Lolita
Thursday, June 98Kennebunkport Festival Events
The Hinckley Reception at Chicks Marina 5 – 7 pm $45
Wood Fired Grand Cru at Vinegar Hill 6-10pm $225
Friday, June 9 Kennebunkport Festival Events
Village Art Walk – FREE 5-8
Amuse- Spirit of Maine Cocktail Party 5-7 $45
The Spirit of Maine Party at Pilot House Boatyard 6:30 – 11 pm $125
Saturday, June 10 Kennebunkport Festival Events
Grand Tasting Party at Pilot House Boatyard Tent Noon – 3 pm $65
Maine Craft Music Festival, Brews & Tunes on The River Green at Captain Lord Mansion 2 – 5 pm $15
Choice Art Show at Maine Art Shows, Chase Hill 5 – 7 pm $45
Festival Grand Finale at David’s KPT 7 – 11 pm $150
Sunday June 11
Tour De Cure at Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm
If that’s not enough to make your Maine head spin, the following weekend is Kennebunkport’s annual Launch – a maritime fest complete with a River Lights Boat Parade, Rock the Boat VIP Party, Blessing of the Fleet and Sirens and Sailors 5k! So put on your party pants people and come to Kport!
See our Guide to dining in Kennebunkport and Kennebunk Maine, and where to stay during the Festival in the Kennebunks.
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