The Wine Country Harvest Festival in North East has expanded once again.

This year, thanks to some changes in zoning, festival organizers can now allow attendees to enjoy wine in Heard Park, which offers seating under tents for guests to relax and savor food from adjacent food trucks. This update also creates a larger space for children’s activities, including pumpkin painting, grape stomping, a mini-corn maze, and other delightful surprises for the little ones. Across both parks, there will be 75 art, craft, and specialty vendors alongside food trucks. Live music will fill the air in Gibson Park, complemented by wine pouring from more than 10 local wineries.

Entry to the festival is free; however, those aged 21 and older with valid ID wishing to sample the wine can purchase passes at eventbrite.com, with prices starting at $25 for a single day and $55 for the entire weekend. These passes include a souvenir glass, unlimited tastings, and a token to buy a bottle of wine for on-site enjoyment.

Gibson Park is situated in downtown North East at the intersection of Lake and Main streets, while Heard Memorial Park is just under a quarter mile away at 40 N. Lake St.

The schedule for this year’s festival is as follows:

4-8 p.m.: The wine tents at Gibson Park will open, accompanied by live music.

4 to 6 p.m.: Join us for the first of two bike rides through the wine country. You can register at lakecountrybike.com/tours.

4-7 p.m.: Kids can enjoy pumpkin painting at Heard Park with Little Miss NE, along with grape stomping, a photo booth, and various other activities.

4 p.m.: Gibson Park: The Ralph Chamberlain Duo takes the stage

5:30 p.m.: Gibson Park: Denny & Heather present their performance

7:30 p.m.: Gibson Park: Shoreline graces the audience with their music

8 p.m.: The final pour from the wineries at Gibson Park

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9 a.m.: Wine Fest 5K walk/run. Register at runsignup.com/Race/PA/NorthEast/StrideStomp5k.

9 to 10:30 a.m.: Check in for the second of two wine country bike rides. Register at lakecountrybike.com/tours.

10 a.m.: Bubbly Brunch: The Skunk & Goat Tavern, 17 W. Main St., North East

11 a.m.: Heard Park: Horse and carriage rides, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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12:00 PM: Gibson Park: Kicking off the day’s first pour

12:00 PM to 6:00 PM: Heard Park: Grape stomping, pumpkin painting, and various children’s activities

1:00 PM: Gibson Park: Live performance by Petty Larseny

3:00 PM: Gibson Park: Whiskey Jack takes the stage

3 to 6 p.m.: Join us at Gibson Park for complimentary caricatures.

4:30 p.m.: Experience the Italian dancers of Erie at Gibson Park.

5 p.m.: Enjoy a performance by Never Too Late at Gibson Park.

7 p.m.: Don’t miss Jack Stevenson and the Buried Treasure Band at Gibson Park.

8 p.m.: Gibson Park: Final drink service

11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Gibson Park: Wine tents available

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Heard Park: Flower bar (create your own bouquet)

Noon to 4 p.m.: Heard Park: Horse and carriage rides

Noon to 3 p.m.: Heard Park: Grape stomping and pumpkin painting

12:30 p.m.: Gibson Park: Rock Avenue performs

2:30 p.m.: Gibson Park: Carnival Brothers perform

For more information, reach out to Jennie Geisler at jgeisler@timesnews.com. You can also check out her weekly newsletter at https://profile.goerie.com/newsletters/erielicious/.

This piece was originally published in Erie Times-News: Wine Country Harvest Festival in North East opens Friday at 4 p.m.