Brace yourselves, PortFest is coming.
Hosted by the local fundraising Port Washington organization Helping Enrich the Arts — also known as HEARTS — the fourth annual music and culture festival is set to take place May 16 at Paul D. Schreiber High School from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., boasting a full slate of live bands, various arts and crafts and student performances from throughout the Port Washington School District.
Damon Gersh, the founder and chairman of HEARTS, said in a statement that the event has raised more than $100,000 in grants toward music and arts programs for the school district since its inception.
“Attending these programs and seeing the engagement and enjoyment on the kids’ faces is always immensely gratifying,” he added.
Bands scheduled to perform during PortFest include Rock Steady, Help on the Way, Bach to Rock Staff Band, School of Rock House Band and Gag Me With A Spoon.
Arts and crafts will take place throughout the day, including body art, candle making, flip-flop making, tote bag decoration, treasure box decoration, a tie-dye station and paper lanterns, among others.
The works of 30 local artists will also be on display and available for purchase, with a portion of proceeds benefitting HEARTS.
But the newest addition to the event will be a poetry cafe, featuring live readings and a display of student artwork as well as coffee and snacks.
A silent auction of prizes, gift baskets, trips and event tickets will also take place.
Officials from the Town of North Hempstead are expected to appear at PortFest, as is U.S. Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington), who represents Port Washington as part of New York’s 3rd Congressional District.
Admission to the event is free. HEARTS officials said parking will be available at Schreiber High School and the surrounding neighborhood.
CLARIFICATION: U.S. Rep. Steve Israel had not been confirmed to appear at PortFest when our newspapers went to print, but event organizers said they were close to finalizing an appearance.
