Harvest on the Harbor kicks off Wednesday with a “Harvest Dinner on the Stage” – prepared by top local chefs, served on stage at Merrill Auditorium. It’s the only event at Portland’s annual food and wine festival that has not yet sold out.

Here’s a look at the festival and how it has grown since its first year in 2008.

n No. of tickets sold in 2008: 1,712. No. tickets sold in 2013: 2,800

n No. of states represented at festival in 2008: 13. No. of states represented at festival in 2013: 34 (and four countries)

n Pounds of lobster served at the Maine Lobster Chef of the Year competition 2008-2013: 50. Pounds of lobster that will be served at the Maine Lobster Chef of the Year this year because of a change in the contest’s format: 130 pounds

n No. of wine and beer tasting glasses given away during the festival last year: 4,000

n Amount of scholarship money given away to culinary students during the last few festivals: $15,000

n No. of people who work on the festival year round: 2 full time, 2 part time, 2 contractors. No. of people who work on the festival the week of the event: 12, plus hundreds of volunteers

Source: Greater Portland Convention + Visitors Bureau


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