Harbor Sounds Music Festival in Safety Harbor features music, eats on waterfront

SAFETY HARBOR — Peace and plenty of harmony are on tap at this weekend's Harbor Sounds Music Festival, a two-day tunefest at the Safety Harbor Marina.

"We have lots of local bands that will be playing a wide range of music from jazz to rock to acoustic," said Betsy Byrd, one of the event coordinators. "It's a beautiful setting with the marina in the background and a wonderful time for the whole family."

The waterfront affair is sponsored by the city of Safety Harbor and the Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds benefit the chamber's visitors center.

In addition to the music, visitors can enjoy fineries from the sea like lobster bisque, crab cakes with mango salad, blackened grouper sandwiches and lobster salad wraps.

Beer, wine and Greek food also will be available.

Dozens of arts and crafts vendors will be there as well. The Safety Harbor Resort and Spa will be the setting for the Parent Guide Family Zone with an array of children's activities.

Youngsters should be on the lookout for Phinley, the Clearwater Threshers mascot, who will be on hand to dole out Threshers prizes to his baseball "phans."

The Wildlife Refugees, one of eight bands scheduled to perform, will be back Saturday night at 8.

"We'll be playing a lot of cover songs from popular bands like the Grateful Dead and Pink Floyd and some originals, too," said Perry Giancola, the band's drummer from Tarpon Springs.

He said the five-piece band also performs an array of Americana songs or "new grass" music using five-part harmonies and instruments like the mandolin and violin.

Have an idea for Diversions? Reach Terri Bryce Reeves at treeves@tampabay.rr.com