The newly formed events committee in Naples is gearing up for presenting the first Annual RocktoberFest and NightMarket that will feature over 100 booths of local vendors, live music, and open local venues serving food and hosting activities such as axe throwing, stein holding, and a kids’ midway.
“RocktoberFest and NightMarket is not blues fest or brew fest. It will be a different type of experience,” said Chelsea McKamy, Events Committee Chairperson. “With family friendly hours and an evening portion, in the fall on the causeway with lake views and golden hour, it sets itself apart with all the festiveness and excitement when ushering in a new season and the upcoming holidays.”
The live music entertainment will feature Maine musicians, as well as the thoughtfully themed Bavarian band which will tour each establishment given each space the chance to have that Oktoberfest vibe. Additionally, there will be a set from a 25-member ukulele band and all local talent.
This year the event is free to the public. There will be a Town of Naples events committee and sponsor booth in the center of it all at Rick’s Casino building, where there will be items for purchase and a donation box. Parking is also free and in multiple locations from the multiple causeway options to the high school, legion and beyond.
The Songo River shuttle bus will be making all the stops to get everyone back and forth from their cars to the causeway establishments and beyond.
Dana Barrows from Freedom Café will be hosting the stein holding competition, Kirsten Hewes of Sun Sports retail store will host axe throwing and food, and Songo River Queen is hosting live music, food offering and a docked bar on the Songo River Queen Princess. Other nearby venues that will be open include the Beacon Bar & Bistro, Brother Flecker’s, Causeway Amphitheater, Rick’s Café and Captain Jacks that will each be offering food and hosting live music.
“We feel that the area has so much to offer not only to newcomers to town but also our supportive and amazing locals who live in Naples year-round,” says Hewes. “It will be great to extend our season into the fall as the area is so beautiful with the foliage and the lakes.”
Open local venues, that typically begin closing by Oct. 12, have extended their season for this event. Other food establishments from farther away will be setting up booths and feature menus.
“We are extremely thankful for their willingness to take a risk and for their support,” says McKamy.
The event is presented by the just-formed Town of Naples Event Committee, a group that was created only a few weeks before the town’s July 4th celebration this summer.
“Residents and business owners alike wanted to create events that were outside the traditional "100 Days of Summer," said Naples Town Manager Jason E. Rogers. “The Select Board formed an Events Committee over the summer to address this want and this is their first major event.”
McKamy said event organizers are very thankful to the select board and town manager and Colin Bracket for taking the steps to have this committee formed, which was put together through community nominations and volunteer applications.
“Their support has been key to this whole process,” she said. “Really every department of the town has been so supportive and that phrase, ‘it takes a village’ couldn’t be more true especially in Naples Village.”
The events committee has no funding and is relying on sponsorship which is still working with door-to-door pitching and persuasion for partnership. Additionally, there will be a town of Naples booth where the committee will sell some artisan goods, event T-shirts, and hold 50-50 raffles. There will also be a donation box with signage. The committee is paying for extra sheriff and fire department coverage to ensure public safety.
"We really wanted to come out swinging with something that would cultivate community and cater to local businesses,” said McKamy. “The event is peak, foliage, stunning, golden hours halfway through the event, and the temperatures are in a very comfortable festive fall feel, so you can almost envision wanting to be out there having hot cider and being with others to usher in this phenomenal season.”
This event is sponsored by Freedom Café, Maine Micro Artisans, Norway Savings Bank and the Town of Naples.
For more information, visit townofnaples.org. <
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