By Carol Britton Meyer

The 17th Endless Summer Waterfront Festival – considered by many to be “the best late summer beach party in New England” – will feature something for everyone, ranging from live music on Nantasket Avenue all day long to contests and fun-filled activities for kids, vendors, and a variety of food.

Organizers say this year’s celebration promises to top them all.

The date of the Hull Nantasket Chamber of Commerce-hosted event is Saturday, Sept. 10, from noon to 5 p.m., with a rain date of Sunday, Sept. 11. There’s no charge for admission, and there will be plenty of free parking. The trolley will run all weekend.

Endless Summer provides an opportunity to enjoy Nantasket Beach and to celebrate Hull’s “great community of people, businesses, schools, and town departments,” organizers say.

“Now that we’ve moved into the new normal following COVID, there seems to be a renewed enthusiasm for getting out and [enjoying more activities],” Chamber President and Shipwreck’d co-owner Adrian Muir told The Hull Times. “We have some exciting things planned.”

Performers include We’re Here for Now, Gracie Grace & All the Good Boys, and The Assisted Living Band as the closing act of the day. The three bands represent a wide range of musical interests and have different followings, Muir said.

This is the second time Assisted Living has played at this venue.

“It’s an absolute blast,” band member David Kellem told the Times. “The Endless Summer festival really showcases the best spirit of Nantasket Beach. September has become a great month weather-wise, though it can evoke some melancholy as the longer days and exciting feel of summer begin to wane.”

The Endless Summer festival is “perfectly timed to bring the beachfront feel alive one last time,” Kellem said. “It’s great to vibe to the dancing crowd under the bandstand, with the ocean waves providing some added percussion and rhythm. There are many children as well as seniors bopping their heads and jumping around to the music. It’s a real party!”

Endless Summer was created as a way to give Hull’s businesses one final boost before the end of the peak summer season. As the years went by, the opportunity to participate as vendors in the festival was opened up to outside businesses as well. Residents and visitors alike have a chance to enjoy the festival and all that Hull has to offer.

This year, sponsors and vendors come from further away than in the past, in addition to from Hull and other local communities. The Chamber has advertised more in Boston this summer, including details of Endless Summer, to help bring tourism back to Hull.

“Ferry ridership has dramatically increased on weekends, which means our Boston ads promoting local businesses are working. This past Sunday, one of the ferries was filled to capacity, which means some riders had to wait for the next one,” Muir said. “Residents of Boston and travelers are hearing about Hull. I haven’t seen a ferry actually have to leave people behind since before COVID. We’re seeing many more people getting on and off the ferry, and the trolley is bridging the gap [in helping people to get around town].”

Vendors and other participants will include Baystate Boutique & Consignment, Boston Irish Apparel, Buddy & Friends Animal Rescue, Caryn’s Corner, ELJ Collective, Friends of Nantasket Beach, Hull Board of Health, Hull Garden Club, Hull Pride, Hull Seaside Animal Rescue, Hull Youth Soccer, Jack Conway & Co, Inc., JKL Jewelry Designs, and KWC Marketing/Innseason Resorts.

Hull Seaside Animal Rescue Manager Ellen Whitney said the shelter is excited about being part of the event.

“We will be selling our apparel as well as offering information about our organization,” she said.

HSAR’s annual yard sale will take place on the same day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., “which leaves plenty of time for people to buy some wonderful items and treasures at our event and then take a stroll down to Endless Summer and check out all the great tables, food offerings, and my favorite – live music,” Whitney said.

During Endless Summer and at the yard sale, HSAR will be selling tickets to its bigger fundraiser on Oct. 13 at The Parrot, featuring a fun-filled night with musical guest Aldous Collins, a silent auction “and some pretty great items as well as food, because we all have to eat!” Whitney said.

Manet Community Health Center, Massachusetts Teachers Association, M&M Links Jewelry, Nantasket Hull Rotary, Owens Corning/Lux Renovations, Pasquale’s Historical & Nautical Gifts, Sassy Brunette Designs Glassware, Shipwreck’d at Pemberton Point, Sportobin Apparel, St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, St. Nicholas United Methodist Church, Surfside Dental Studio, The Anchor of Hull, The Bead’s Sting, Tourist Trap Gift Shop, and William Hoyte Artwork also will participate.

Anchor of Hull, which has participated in Endless Summer for several years, will share promotional materials, resources, and information about the role of the organization – which provides a safe, sober, and supportive environment for building community, wellness, and recovery – as well as sell merchandise at its booth. “We also hand out free cotton candy, which is always a hit!” Program Director Emily Ludwig said.

Those who plan to spend time at Endless Summer are reminded to bring address labels for the 50/50 raffle that helps support the Chamber’s annual scholarship program that benefits students graduating from Hull High School.

“Using labels is easier than scribbling your name and phone number on the raffle stubs,” Muir explained. “Some people buy 50 tickets at a time.”

Food vendors include Aahhh-Roma LLC Wood Fired Pizza and Daddy’s Dogs. The festival will also feature a hotdog-eating contest sponsored by Shipwreck’d.

“Summer-experience towns such as Hull are at their best when throwing festivals and special events,” Kellem said. “The Assisted Living Band loves being a part of the good time.”

Muir and other event organizers are expecting a large and enthusiastic turnout from near and far for the celebration. He noted that more people from far outside the area are visiting Hull.

“We’ve met people from Connecticut, Australia, and Japan at our restaurant recently, in one instance the customers heard about us by word of mouth, while others read about Hull after traveling to Boston and came here for that reason,” he said.

Endless Summer is made possible with the support of grants from the Save the Harbor Save the Bay, Massachusetts Department of Conservation, Massachusetts Cultural Council, and Hull Cultural Council.

Visit www.hullchamber.com or the Endless Summer Facebook page for information on the event and to participate as a vendor or sponsor.

Individual and family sponsorships, which start at only $100, can be made as a tribute to, or in memory of, a loved one, an organization, or an experience enjoyed in Hull.