WELLS — The Wells HarborFEST has been an annual event for many years now. The festival, held right in the scenic Wells Harbor, has traditionally consisted of a chicken barbecue and silent auction, the proceeds used for community scholarships, local and international organizations, and more.

But in the past couple of years, Wells Rotary Club members, Wells Chamber of Commerce and HarborFEST devotees alike have pushed the summer festival to be something more: an all-day event, filled with activities catered toward the whole family. This year, HarborFEST will be Saturday, July 26 at the Wells Harbor Park, and will feature an itinerary filled with games, exhibitions and concerts from noon to 9 p.m.

“HarborFEST had dwindled in the last eight to 10 years,” said Ryan Liberty, a Wells Rotary Club member, who has in recent years taken on a significant role in the festival’s planning after moving to Wells. “Last year was kind of a rejuvenated HarborFEST. This year, even more.”

Alongside fellow rotary club member Bob Foley, also a Wells selectman, the two men decided to “expand the day more and explore the harbor,” said Liberty.

Both the Wells Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce began making phone calls to various sponsors and vendors to ensure that there would be free events all day long.

When asked why rejuvenating HarborFEST was so important to him, Liberty’s answer was simple.

“Very early on, it felt like home. My wife and I wanted to contribute to the community,” Liberty said. “We wanted to rebuild on something that’s already in Wells, and, sadly, that I think is under-used.”

Eleanor Vadenais, executive director of the Wells Chamber of Commerce, was just as excited about the prospect of a full-day HarborFEST. Although the chicken barbecue and silent auction are pivotal parts of the festival, adding new events “enhances the main events that are happening that day,” she said.

What activities should one expect at HarborFEST on July 26? A classic car show will kick off the festival at noon, preceding the silent auction at 3 p.m., which will then be followed by the chicken barbecue from 4-6 p.m. ”“ as always, the funds raised from the barbecue ticket sales and silent auction, hosted by the chamber, go toward scholarships for local students, said Vadenais. To continue the festival into the night, three other main events have been added to the day’s itinerary: a bonfire, talent show and free concert by the band Straight Lace.

“Everyone’s doing their part to help the community,” said Liberty, referring to the plethora of day-long events and demonstrations available at no cost to the public.

There will be Wells Fire Department Jaws of Life demonstrations and fire extinguisher inspections, and Wells Police Department K9 demos and children’s safety ID fingerprinting. Exhibitors are to include the Historical Society of Wells and Ogunquit, the Wells Republican Party, Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve and the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport & Wells Water District.

Of course, HarborFEST also boasts a whimsical array of contests and games this summer. Vadenais urged participants to come hungry, as there will be a doughnut-eating challenge and s’mores by the bonfire. Kids can enter a crabbing contest by the shore, enter a treasure hunt at a pirate camp, build and decorate their own kites, and spend the day getting their faces painted and balloon animals made to their specifications.

One of Liberty’s favorite activities to watch is the World Championship Lobster Trap Toss, he said, as well as the Lumberman’s Challenge. While not every event is a contest ”“ adults are free to learn to paddleboard or enjoy an afternoon in the Beer Garden ”“ contestants are needed in all of the competitive events. Cash prizes are given to the top three men and women finishers in each event. In the same chord, contestants are also welcomed for the night’s talent show. To register, call Liberty at 603-312-7552.

“HarborFEST is really made up into a few different pieces,” said Liberty. But, ultimately, the planning of this activity-filled day has come to fruition with one goal in mind: to better the community. Whether it’s participating in the auction to raise money for a Wells High School senior’s scholarship or heaving a lobster trap as far as possible into the harbor, all activities benefit the community at large, and set the stage for next summer’s festival to be even better, organizers said.

For more information on Wells HarborFEST, visit www.wellsrotary.org.

— Gillian Foss is a newsroom intern with the Journal Tribune and can be contacted via kristenm@journaltribune.com.