Day 292 Working Waterfront Festival in New Bedford MA
Come learn about commercial fishing  and plus eat some great seafood at the Working Waterfront festival in New Bedford. You will be able to walk the decks of a scalloper, dine on fresh seafood, mend a fishing net as well as watch a Coast Guard rescue demonstration. This free fun family festival be Saturday September 24th 11am-6pm and Sunday September 25th 11am-5pm. 
2011 THEME
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.
Highlights
Scallop Shucking Contest is on 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.
Music There will be live music all day feature musical arts whose background or music is related to fishing. Performers and schedule of events
• Expanded food offerings: Enjoy grilled seafood, a raw bar and home made soups and donuts in addition to the traditional fried seafood and lobster roll You can also watch cooking demonstration as well the Seafood Throwndown The chefs will compete to create a winning dish using a surprise seafood ingredient and local produce. Chefs can bring three of their favorite ingredients and once they discover the secret seafood they will be using, they get $25 and 15 minutes to shop the Festival Farmers’ Market for ingredients. A panel of judges including fishermen and food writers will determine the winning dish.
• Vessel Tours Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about the different types of fishing vessels first-hand by getting on board one or more of the vessels offering dockside tours and talking with the crew. Harbor Tours
KID’S ACTIVITIES
Be sure to visit the Kid’s Activity Tent located on Steamship Pier for a boatload of make and take art activities Saturday and Sunday from 11 to 5 including fish prints, shell decorating, paper boat making and more. This area is staffed courtesy of the Art Education Program of the University of Massachusetts.