10th Annual Working Waterfront Festival

The 10^th Annual Working Waterfront Festival drew large crowds with two days of beautiful weather to enjoy the music and food and the New Bedford waterfront. Nearly 2,000 visitors came aboard Ernestina for a tour.  We had a wonderful turnout of volunteers that made this possible.  THANK YOU!

Ernestina looked great with her gleaming new foremast

Meghan Lapp reads from her book Fast Friends

Fast Friends is the delightful tale of two small boats who get into big trouble! As they work together, they learn important lessons about friendship, doing things the right way, and following the rules.

Daisy Nell and Captain Stan returned this year to read from their new book

Captain Stan’s Foo Foo Band is delightfully illustrated by celebrated artist, George Ulrich. The book has a single-song music CD inside. Suitable for kids aged 3 to 9, entertaining for all ages.

SEMA Director Melissa DeValles explaining the ship's windlass

Melissa was only one of the many volunteers that staffed the ship.  They made the Open Ship possible.  Joe Pacheco came early both days to “dress ship” and deploy the safety equipment and helped in many ways.  Special thanks to DCR’s Manny Silva and Michelle O’Bannon whose presence and hard work made the weekend possible and to volunteers Annie, who scheduled and coordinated the deck volunteers and Chuck who worked with Jim Kendall on the very successful Blessing ceremony.

The Very Reverend Father Constantine Bebis offering a blessing.

On Sunday afternoon Ernestina’s deck hosted the 44^th Annual Blessing of the Fleet.  An inter-denominational delegation of clergy officiated including The Very Reverend Father Constantine Bebis; from St. George Greek Orthodox Church in North Dartmouth, Monsignor Stephen J. Avila,  Pastor, St. Mary’s Parish, Mansfield, MA and Reverend Debra Lee, North Baptist Church of New Bedford.

SouthCoastToday published an account of the program. Mayor Jon Mitchell welcomed everyone and several elected officials mentioned the importance of Ernestina to the City and the State.  Kudos to Jim and Verna Kendall for a wonderful afternoon.

Attorney General Martha Coakley spoke of the importance of the fishing industry

Schooner Ernestina Commissioner Gene Monteiro and SEMA Secretary Mary Anne McQuillan thanked the officials and the audience for their support of Ernestina.