If you’re looking for something fun and interesting to do next weekend, consider making a trip to New Bedford for the 10th Annual Working Waterfront festival- a vibrant celebration of the culture and history of our local commercial fishing industry. Taking place from 11am-6pm on Saturday the 27th and 11am-5pm on Sunday the 28th, there’s plenty offered for the whole family at this festival. This year the focus is on fishing families– both on shore and at sea.
“More than simply a celebration, the Working Waterfront Festival is a unique opportunity for the public to get a firsthand look at the culture of fishing and for the commercial fishing community to tell its’ own story. The event presents all that goes into bringing seafood from the ocean to the table in
a way that is hands-on, educational, and fun. We encourage you to listen and watch, but also to taste, touch, and converse.”
Highlights of the weekend-long celebration will include a man-overboard demonstration and training, a seafood throwdown cooking competition with two top local chefs, impromptu sessions of fish-related poetry readings, a visit from the f/v Ardelle, a family portrait station, and active recordings of family fishing stories as part of the Community Documentation Project. Dining options will include something for anyone who likes seafood- including some of your favorite soups, raw bar items, and prepared dishes. A farmers market will also be open to the public, and performances by local musicians and artists will be featured throughout the weekend.
Here are some photos from last year’s Working Waterfront Festival:
Our local fishing industry has played a huge role in shaping the history and culture of this region. Times have become tough for active fishermen, and they need the support of the public now more than ever. This festival provides a great opportunity to enjoy the culture and character that defines this key regional industry and provides opportunities for fun for the whole family.
If you’d like to learn more about this event, you can visit the Festival’s webpage by clicking here.
