Working Waterfront Festival
Set For September

2011 Theme: Then and Now:
Tradition and Innovation on the Working Waterfront

 

One of the many events, demonstrations, performances and contests at the New Bedford Working
Waterfront Festival. Here contestants are in a net repairing contest. Fishermen’s Voice Photo

New Bedford, America’s largest commercial fishing port, hosts the 8th Working Waterfront Festival. The FREE event takes place September 24th and 25th on the working piers and waterfront parks of the historic Port of New Bedford.

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. Visitors are encourage to listen and watch, but also to taste, touch and converse.

The 2011 Festival theme Then & Now: Tradition and Innovation in New England’s Working Ports will explore cultural traditions in commercial fishing communities, pay tribute to industry innovators and consider how the industry has changed over time.

NEW THIS YEAR

• Scallop Shucking Contest moves to Sunday! This year’s scallop shucking contest (a Festival highlight) will take place on Sunday at noon with a link squeezing competition at 11:30. Saturday at noon watch the net mending and splicing contests.

• New Festival Hours! All piers will remain open until 6pm on Saturday and 5pm on Sunday.

• Expanded food offerings: Enjoy grilled seafood, a raw bar and home made soups and donuts in addition to the traditional fried seafood and lobster rolls.

• In addition there will be a farmers market, films, Cooking demonstrations, contests, vessel tours and lots of food!

MEDIA CONTACT: Laura Orleans, Director, 508-993-8894, info@workingwaterfrontfestival.org