The 50th annual Scituate Heritage Days festival will underscore the waterfront town’s rich maritime history and Irish roots with attractions ranging from a life-sized inflatable whale to music from the Emerald Isle.
Founded in 1968, the celebration has grown to include a parade, outdoor concerts, carnival rides, and even a baby animal petting zoo. More than 40,000 people are expected to attend this year’s festival, which takes place Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 4 and 5, at Scituate Harbor.
“People come here because Scituate is a quaint historic town,’’ said Stephen Litchfield, a lifelong resident and trustee of the Scituate Historical Society. “If we don’t keep doing stuff like this, people tend to forget what the town’s roots are.’’
The ScituateChamber of Commerce, which organizes and raises funds for the festival, is working with local organizations to emphasize those roots as the celebration hits the half-century mark.
“Maritime and cultural heritage are so important to this area,’’ said Anne-Marie Runfola, volunteer coordinator at the Scituate-based Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, which is bringing a life-sized inflatable humpback whale to the festival.
Historic sites such as Old Scituate Light and the Maritime and Irish Mossing Museum will be open for extended hours during Heritage Days. There will also be boat races and other water-related attractions, such as the Blessing of the Fleet and Boat Parade.
Cultural organizations also are getting into the act. The Scituate/West Cork Sister City Committee will offer soda bread tastings and raffle off Irish art. There will also be an Irish music seisiún, a beloved musical tradition of Irish pubs.
“I think it’s very important, for oldcomers and newcomers to learn about the history of the town,’’ said Brenda O’Connor, chair of the committee that organizes exchanges between residents of Scituate and West Cork, Ireland. “The atmosphere in Scituate has always been welcoming to immigrants.’’
In the early 20th century, at a time when the Irish were not generally welcome in the United States, immigrants found work in Scituate in the fishing and sea moss harvesting industries, O’Connor said. It echoed what they had done in Ireland, and helped them feel at home.
“Many found a similar atmosphere to what they left — a coastal village,’’ O’Connor explained. “They found that the moss that grew in Ireland, that was harvested in Ireland by the sea, also grew in Scituate.’’
In addition to historical and cultural experiences, the festival will feature live music, local artisans, and activities for kids. The Commodores Experience will perform on Saturday, John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band will perform on Sunday, and local musicalacts will perform throughout the weekend. Local vendors will set up shop around the area.
Gearing up for the festival on Tuesday, July 31, Untold Brewery will debut a special hazy IPA, called Heritage Haze in honor the festival.
In what organizers are calling “Art Alley,’’ the Scituate Arts Association will offer a collaborative community painting experience, as well as art projects for children and teens.
There will also be a baby animal petting zoo, carnival rides, and entertainment from Captain Jay and his Pirate Camp, as well as the Toe Jam Puppet Band.
Families can try their hand at the Heritage Hunt, with 50 questions on local landmarks and history to be answered to win $200 cash, a limited edition Heritage Days hat, and a handmade Heritage Days pendant. Entry sheets can be picked up at the Chamber of Commerce booth during the festival.
Scituate Heritage Days will take place on Front Street and Cole Parkway by Scituate Harbor on Saturday, Aug. 4, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, follow the Scituate Heritage Days Facebook page, or visit scituatechamber.org.
Morgan Hughes can be reached at morgan.hughes@globe.com.
