Greek Food Festival
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church on Harris Street will host its annual Greek Food Festival from Friday, July 25, through Sunday, July 27. The menu includes gyros, lamb shanks, moussaka, chicken, lamb and pork kabobs, keftethes, spinach pie, pastichio, Greek salad, plaki (fish) and Greek pastries. Festival hours are Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. The event takes place indoors, and will be held rain or shine.
Homecoming Blues Cruise
The 10th annual Yankee Homecoming Blues Cruise heads out Saturday, July 26, from 7 to 10 p.m. from Plum Island Point in Newburyport. The cruise will feature "Regal Queen of the Blues" Shirley Lewis, Sweet Willie D. and lead guitarist J. Laite. Tickets are $32 in advance, $36 the day of the tour, and available online and at Captain's Fishing Parties, Plum Island Point, and Dyno Records on Middle Street in Newburyport. For more, visit www.NewburyportBluesCruise.com.
Pre-Homecoming entertainment
Local musicians Kathy Heywood, Krysta Youngs, Jonee Earthquake, Bill Kasper, Ellis Ralph, Dale Reynolds and Glen Berube will get a jump-start on Yankee Homecoming when they perform on Saturday, July 26, from noon to 7 p.m. in Market Square. All performances are free and suitable for all ages.
Historic tours of St. Paul's Church
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 166 High St., will host its second annual Historic Tours on Sunday, July 27, from noon to 5 p.m. Visitors will enjoy tours of the main church building and sanctuary and history of the parish that was founded in 1711 and is the oldest continuing Episcopal parish in Massachusetts. The Paul Revere bell and other artifacts, surrounding graveyard and St. Anna's Chapel, which has remained unchanged since being built in 1863, will also be featured. Tours, led by parishioners in period costumes, last 45 to 50 minutes and take place on the half hour. Meet in front of the church doors. Admission is free; donations will be accepted. Visit www.stpauls-nbpt.com.
Ben Willmott performs 'Rich With Love'
Ben Willmott and his trio will perform songs from his new album, "Rich with Love," on Sunday, July 27, at 3:30 p.m. on the Inn Street stage as part of the Downtown Entertainment Series. The performance is free. Visit www.benwillmottmusic.com.
Antique Show & Sale
Belleville Congregational Church, 300 High St., hosts its 45th Annual Antique Show & Sale on Monday, July 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be 50 dealers inside and out offering a variety of items, including china, glassware, furniture, jewelry, textiles, dolls, vintage maps, prints and more. A luncheon and snack bar will be available. Admission is $4. Call 978-465-7734.
'Renaissance' Fashion Show
The Elks Lodge, 25 Low St., will host this year's Yankee Homecoming Fashion Show, with clothing from eight local vendors themed with the idea of "what was old is new again." Dinner will be provided by the Starboard Galley Restaurant and entertainment will be offered throughout the night. There will also be raffles for various prizes including dinner at 10 Center Street. Doors open at 6 p.m., dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the show will start at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $25 and are available at particpating vendors as well as at the door the night of the show. For more information, call Barbara O'Hearn at 978-462-9145.
Baby Contest at Country Manor
Country Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, 180 Low St., crowns the cutest local babies at its annual Baby Contest on Tuesday, July 29, at 2 p.m. The contest is open to all children ranging in age from newborn to 5 years old. Judging and categories will vary by age. To enter, register at Country Manor weekdays between 1:30 and 4 p.m. The entry fee is $2 per child. The registration deadline is Friday, July 25. Call Dorothy Lemire at 978-465-5361 for more.
Newburyport Lions Club celebrates Homecoming
The Newburyport Lions Club is heading up several of this year's Yankee Homecoming events:
r The Yankee Homecoming 10-mile and 5K Road Races step off Tuesday, July 29, at 6:25 p.m. The race begins and ends at Newburyport High School at 241 High St. The entry fee is $23 before race day, $25 the day of the race. The Provident Bank is a primary sponsor of the event. Visit www.yankeerace.com.
r The Bed Race rolls down Federal Street on Thursday, July 31. Bed inspection starts at 5 p.m., with the race at 6. The entry fee is $30 per team. Participants must be at least 18. There will be no parking allowed on Federal Street for participants' and spectators' safety. Call Dr. Chad McDonald for race forms and information at 978-314-9000.
r Lions Annual Children's Classic Races will be Friday, Aug. 1, at 5:30 p.m. at Fuller Field on Low Street. The event for ages 5 to 11 is free. Registration starts at 2 p.m. Parking is available at the Rupert A. Nock Middle School lot.
All Lions Club events support Lions Massachusetts Eye Research and Lions charities.
Brewfest pours on waterfront
The Newburyport Brewfest featuring 19 brewers offering more than 30 types of craft beers will be held Wednesday, July 30, from 6 to 9 p.m. under a tent along the waterfront behind the Custom House Maritime Museum, 25 High St. Food will be provided by David's Tavern and The Grog and local fiddler E.J. Ouellette and Crazy Maggy will perform. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. This 21-plus event takes place rain or shine. All proceeds support the C-10 Research and Education Foundation.
'Festival of the Irish Folk'
The Msgr. Thomas M. Lane Division 1 of the Newburyport Ancient Order of Hibernians presents an evening of Irish entertainment featuring songs, music, bagpipes and the Bracken School of Irish Dancing in Salisbury (formerly the Duffin-Murphy School of Irish Dance) on Wednesday, July 30, at 7 p.m. at Newburyport High School auditorium on High Street. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door, and available at the high school office, from members of the Hibernians or by calling Dan Cleary at 978-360-9603 or George Lawrence at 978-465-9724.
Beach Blast rocks Homecoming
Michael's Harborside is hosting the 20th annual "Beach Blast" on Thursday, July 31, starting at 8:30 p.m. Wear your best surf and Hawaiian attire and dance all night to the music of the seven-piece Moonlite Surfers. There will be prizes and contests throughout the night. Admission is $10, with proceeds benefiting Yankee Homecoming.
New album for Homecoming performer
Pop star and Berklee College of Music graduate Krysta Youngs spotlights her new release, "Stories," when she performs Saturday, Aug. 2, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on the waterfront stage. This performance is free.
Call out for parade volunteers
Volunteers are needed to collect donations during the annual Yankee Homecoming Parade on Sunday, Aug. 3. Call Bruce Brown at 978-465-6178 to sign up. All volunteers need to show up at Atkinson Common at High and Spofford streets by noon. Proceeds from the collection will benefit the Jimmy Fund to help fight cancer that affects thousands of children.
