September 26, 2013 — Few cities are as closely tied to the water as New Bedford. Not only are the connections physical, thanks to the city’s location overlooking Buzzards Bay, but there’s a deep spiritual connection, too — much of it forged by New Bedford’s long history as a commercial fishing and whaling center.
So it should come as no surprise that the self-proclaimed Whaling City also hosts one of the country’s top waterfront festivals: The aptly named Working Waterfront Festival.
First held in 2004, the festival is just what you might expect — a celebration of the people, history and culture that have made New Bedford a bustling port city for more than three centuries. Featuring a wide range of activities, including a seafood cook-off, whaleboat rides and even a live drowning-rescue demonstration, the festival takes place Saturday, Sept. 28, and Sunday, Sept. 29, along the New Bedford waterfront.
Times are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
“It’s really one of the few festivals that celebrate an active fishing community,” says festival director Laura Orleans. “Places like San Francisco and Seattle both have wonderful waterfront events, but for the most part those areas are no longer used for commercial fishing. Ours is.”
Not surprisingly, the working waterfront theme is reflected in many of the festival’s events and activities. Where else, for example, are you likely to find a 750-gallon “flume tank” — a tool used by nautical engineers to test the designs of things such as ship keels and propellers? Or a “tug muster” featuring a fleet of working tug boats from New Bedford Harbor? Or a net-mending competition featuring contestants who actually mend nets for a living, and not as part of some quaint historical re-enactment?
Orleans is particularly excited about the flume tank. “Because of what they do, which is basically mimicking the conditions that boats face when they’re at sea, they don’t move around a lot,” Orleans says. “Having one at the festival, even if it’s a small one, is really exciting.”
Of course, the festival also has more conventional attractions, including live musical performances, harbor cruises and an outdoor market featuring local seafood and produce.
“There’s really something for everyone,” Orleans says.