After years of planning, Utica’s Harbor Point is ready to shine. On Thursday, June 5 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, the community is invited to celebrate the long-awaited grand opening of this newly transformed waterfront space.
🎉 What to Expect at Harbor Point’s Big Debut
Harbor Point has undergone a major revitalization, turning a once-industrial corner of North Utica into a vibrant public destination. Thanks to funding from the New York State Canal Corporation and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, the new Harbor Point now serves as a scenic spot for outdoor recreation, family fun, and cultural events.
🎶 Live Music Under the Open Sky
Get ready to move to the music! The celebration kicks off at 4:00 PM with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony. Then, Mallory Road takes the stage at 5:00 PM, warming things up before headliner Shawn Smith Band rocks the waterfront later in the evening.
Whether you’re a fan of high-energy country or soulful originals, the lineup delivers something for everyone.
🍔 Food, Beer, and Family Fun
You won’t leave hungry or bored. Throughout the event, enjoy:
- Local food trucks serving crowd favorites
- Big Papi’s Icey
- Deli Tacos
- Just Try It
- McGill’s
- Mr. Hot Dog
- Mr. Soft Serve
- Paco’s Empanadas
- A Saranac beer tent offering hometown brews
- The Utica ZooMobile with live animal encounters
- The Children’s Mobile Museum, packed with hands-on exhibits
- Waterfront views, walking paths, and even kayak rentals
This grand opening was designed for the whole family—and it shows.
🅿️ Parking & Shuttle Information
While parking at the Harbor Point site is limited, overflow parking will be available at the Nexus Center lot. To make things easier, free shuttle service will run continuously between Nexus and Harbor Point throughout the event.
🏙️ Powered by Community Partners
The event is brought to you by What’s Upstate and the City of Utica, working together to reimagine the city’s waterfront. As a result, this once-overlooked area now stands as a symbol of Utica’s momentum and community pride.
📍 Don’t Miss It!
This free, one-day-only celebration offers the perfect way to kick off summer. Come for the music, stay for the memories—and discover why Harbor Point is Utica’s next favorite destination.
GALLERY
