Scallop Schuking Contest

The Working Waterfront Festival just gets better each year. The weather was perfect, the crowd was big and the food…..outstanding.  Thanks to all who made this festival special. Join us next September for the 23th annual.

The Schooner Adventure

The Schooner Adventure

Some nice video from the Festival

Tattoo Contest

Tattoo Contest

Wonderful story from Kristin Gourlay of RI Public Radio covering this year’s Nautical Tattoo Contest!

Hear it here

The Crew

The Crew

See you next year!

The Kennedys

New Bedford, it’s the first weekend in July, you’re on the historic cobblestone streets, music fills the air, the sent of the food court is calling your name and the crafts inspire and amaze.

Alan and Helene korokenko

Festival Directors Alan and Helene Korokenko

The New Bedford Folk Festival celebrated it’s 20th anniversary this year. On July 4th and 5th, under perfect summer skies

the festival community came together.

Take a look at Neale Eckstein’s wonderful slice of the festival.

Click on Banner below for video

New Bedford Folk Festival

Photographs say so much more than words about capturing the spirit and the community of the festival.

Thanks to Jake Jacobson and Neale Eckstein

Danielle Miraglia

Danielle Miraglia

The Kennedys

The Kennedys

Vance Gilbert

Vance Gilbert

 

 The New Bedford Standard times said it nicely.

“The New Bedford Folk Festival further cemented its reputation in the musical world Saturday

with a jam-packed Day 1 in the downtown national park district.”

Read More Here

Workshop at The Z

Workshop at The Z

The Food Court

The Food Court

Crafts

Crafts

 

Sadly this might be the last one. Here is a note from Alan:

After 20 years of the New Bedford Folk Festival (Summerfest), Helene and I have decided to retire from festival presenting. This decision has been in the works for several years. The festival is an all-consuming project and we did not want to wait for burnout to set in or any other issue that could impact negatively on the festival. The only question was when and after a successful 20th Anniversary festival we decided this was the right time.

We have notified City officials of our ‘retirement’ and at this time we do not know what, if anything, the City plans for next year.

We could not be more grateful to all of our staff, volunteers, sponsors and Community Partners for their support, often above and beyond expectations. As for the festival audience, whether from across the country, other countries or right down the street, the show of support and devotion to the festival has been overwhelming. Presenting this festival has been a highlight of our lives.

We look forward to spending time on a variety of interests and attending concerts and festivals as audience members. We will not completely leave music production as we are starting a small concert series in the City. But, we will miss seeing you all on our annual busy Fourth of July weekend. We wish you well and remember to keep music in your lives.

What a loss…..

 

Scallop Shucking Contest

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

 

The 10th Annual Working Waterfront Festival in New Bedford was held on September 28th and 29th 2013 and exceeded all expectations. It was a picture perfect weekend, record crowds and smiles across all three piers. New Bedford is America’s largest commercial fishing port; the festival is designed for participants to learn about the men and women who harvest the North Atlantic. Festival attendees walked the decks of a scalloper; dine on fresh seafood, viewed fishermen’s contests, and watch cooking demonstrations.

The Festival has been a labor of love for a decade.  Take a look back.

 

Of course the main attractions of the Working Waterfront Festival are the music, food, demonstrations and a chance to walk aboard many of the fishing vessels.

The Souls of the Sea

The Souls of the Sea

Cooking Demonstrations

Cooking Demonstrations

 

 

Festival Director Laura Orleans told the New Bedford Standard Times  “We started the festival really to educate the public about the industry and to give people who work in this industry a sense of pride in the work they do and an opportunity to tell their stories.”

New Bedford fisherman Phil Ashworth says “God, we could tell stories for hours,”

 

Scallop Shucking Contest

Scallop Shucking Contest

Here’s a nice tribute to this years festival from folks who were there.

Click here

Hear more stories and experience the 11th Working Waterfront Festival September 27 & 28, 2014.

You’ll find me there sampling the grilled scallops.