06/17/2026
What an incredible turnout this past Saturday at Festa by the Sea!
We are still riding the wave of excitement from such a spectacular day celebrating our community's rich maritime heritage and vibrant culture right by the water.
A massive thank you to everyone who came out to make the day so special. We were thrilled to welcome local legislators, maritime lovers, enthusiastic pastel de nata eating competition contenders, passionate whaleboat fanatics, kayaking enthusiasts, and families of all kinds who brought so much wonderful energy to the waterfront.
Whether you were cheering on the nata eaters, testing your appetite, or just soaking in the sun, you made the festival unforgettable!
The day was packed with non-stop excitement, from the delicious lineups at the food trucks to the beautiful cruises out on the water. None of this would have been possible without our incredible community and the dedicated partners, Boating Center, Explore New Bedford, and Azorean Maritime Heritage Society, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring this event to life. Thank you for your continued support, collaboration, and shared love for our city.
We can’t wait this do it again with you all.
Photos provided by Hilary Moll, Kate Miller and Pam Schwartz.
