ROCKLAND – Autumn is fast approaching, but Rockland is still hot.

The waterfront will rock Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 17 and 18, with lively entertainment when the Rockland-Thomaston Area Chamber of Commerce’s third annual HarborFest Jazz & Arts Festival makes its splash.

Add to it the Chamber’s annual fundraising auction Friday, Sept. 16, at the Maine Lighthouse Museum and you’ve got the makings of a three-day weekend party.

The event is presented by The Courier-Gazette and Steppin’Out, two local publications, and supported by WERU Radio.

The weekend kicks off Friday night with the Chamber’s biggest fundraiser of the year. The 26th annual auction offers a wide variety of items and services for bid, donated by Chamber members and area businesses.

Local auctioneer Bruce Gamage leads the wheeling and dealing, which this year includes several packages, including one worth more than $2,000 called “Live Free for A Year.”

That package of cash, goods and services includes things such as a $300 car payment, tax return preparation, and 200 gallons of fuel oil or propane. Other packages include fitness, landscaping and entertainment specials.

The viewing starts at 5 p.m. and bidding at 6 p.m. There will be a cash bar and food at the museum, which is also the new home of the Chamber. A complete list of auction items can be viewed by visiting the Chamber’s Web site at www.TheRealMaine.com. The timing of the auction is new this year. The event previously took place in October.

Raffle tickets to see the Boston Red Sox take on the New York Yankees at Fenway Park will be available before the auction. Only 100 raffle tickets will be sold at $50 apiece. The winner will get two tickets to the game on Saturday, Oct. 1, plus round-trip train tickets aboard the Downeaster from Portland to Boston and overnight hotel accommodations. Raffle tickets are available now at the Chamber during regular business hours.

On Saturday, the gates open at 9 a.m. at Buoy Park for the daylong HarborFest Jazz & Arts Festival. Performing throughout the day will be All That Jazz, Sam Sherry and Ursa Major, and Monday Night Jazz Orchestra.

While the bands are playing, crafts and food vendors will be peddling their wares along the waterfront. Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for children 12 and under.

A special show is on tap for the evening at the Strand Theatre, where the Strand and Harbor Square Gallery will present the Paul Sullivan Trio in concert. Tickets to the Strand concert are $15 and may be purchased at the box office, online at www.rocklandstrand.com, or by calling 594-6641.

During the HarborFest events, seating is available under the big tent and main stage area, but visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Organizers also asked that coolers and pets be left at home.

The main event on Sunday will be a three-hour Jazz Brunch Harbor Cruise on the M/V Monhegan. The cruise and entertainment by the Mainiacs is sponsored by Union Trust and Nordstrom Skin Care Studio.

Signature dishes from area restaurants such as the Samoset, Cafe Miranda, In Good Company, Sweet Sensations, Captain’s Fresh Idea, The Black Bull and Atlantic Baking Co. will be served during the cruise. Boarding is at 9:30 a.m. at the Middle Pier.

Cruise tickets may be purchased at the Chamber office or charged by phone at 596-0376.