News File Photo Shoppers walk the aisles at the 2023 Harmony Weekend Arts and Craft Festival in Harrisville.

HARRISVILLE — In 1972, local artist and art instructor Bruce Hartman, with his wife Joan, organized the first craft show on the Alcona County Courthouse lawn, with five vendors. This marked the beginning of the Harmony Weekend Arts and Craft Festival, held on Labor Day weekend.

The festival is now the second-largest arts and crafts show in Michigan and is celebrating its 50th anniversary this summer.

The name Harmony Weekend was chosen due to the combination of Barbershop Harmony and the arts and crafts show. The Barbershop Harmony participants began gathering in 1962, and the Sweet Adelines now carry on the tradition at “Harmony on the Hill” during the arts and crafts show.

With the show’s rapid growth, the Harrisville Arts Council was incorporated in 1974, with Hartman elected as president, a position he held for over 20 years. Over the years, the show expanded significantly, with some years featuring 500 booths.

The Harrisville Arts Council committee has had various officers and board members throughout the years, all of whom have contributed to the show’s continued success.

The combination of Barbershop Harmony and the arts and craft show has firmly placed this small community on the map. Three years ago, the board renamed the show Harmony Festival.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Harrisville Harmony Weekend Arts and Craft Festival, located at the corner of U.S.-23 and M-72 at the traffic light in Harrisville.

The show runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 1.

Harmony on the Hill is an hourly music program featuring local talent on the craft show grounds from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days.

There will also be an old-fashioned parade at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 1 Main Street in downtown Harrisville.

The Harrisville Arts Council looks forward to many more Harmony Weekend Arts and Craft Festivals with increased vendors, music, and continued community support.

For more information, visit the Harrisville Arts Council online at harrisvilleartscouncil.com.