Having lived on the South Coast for the past 8 years, I have heard the Connecting for Change Conference mentioned many times, but it wasn’t until recently that I actually discovered what this incredible three-day event is about.

Having corresponded with Connecting for Change manager Brooke Syvertsen, I was able to learn a lot about the upcoming 9^th Annual Connecting for Change: A Bioneers by the Bay Conference.  Thus, I have put together this “Connecting for Change Survival Guide” to answer any questions you might have.

1.  What the Heck is Connecting for Change?

The Connecting for Change Conference is an internationally acclaimed, three-day conference that brings together over 2,500 teachers, innovators, business professionals, students, community leaders and many others.  Participants discuss resilience, regeneration and solutions to key community issues such as:

• Food and farming
• Health and healing
• Green business
• Indigenous knowledge
• Environmental and social justice
• Women and youth empowerment
• Spirituality
• Sustainability

The conference is presented by the Marion Institute and features workshops, live keynote presentations, family and Youth Initiative programs, an exhibition hall, a farmers market, live music and local artwork.

To learn more about the conference and the Marion Institute, check out this brief video of 2012 highlights (Connecting for Change 2012 Highlights)

2. When and Where is this Internationally Acclaimed Event?

The 9^th annual conference will be held October 25-27, 2013 in Downtown New Bedford.  The event encompasses three blocks of the city, but its main hub is located at the Zeiterion Theater (684 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA).

The conference starts at 9:30 AM on Friday and goes until 6 PM, and the hours are the same for Saturday, with evening entertainment each night that is free and open to the public.  Sunday also starts on 9:30 but ends at 3:30.

3. How Can I Get Involved in Connecting for Change?

Registration for Connecting for Change 2013 is now open, and prices are based on a sliding scale.  The actual ticket price is $100 per day, but accessibility to all is important to the event organizers, “…so that income barriers will not prevent people from attending. To truly create change in our community, all classes, races, and creeds need to be present at the conference. We are asking you to pay what you can, per day that you attend, so that our conference can continue to create positive impacts in this world.”  You are also able to pre-purchase locally-sourced, vegetarian buffet-style lunch for $12 a day if you so choose.  To learn more, check out their registration page.

You can also receive a registration discount by volunteering.  To learn more about volunteering opportunities click here: Volunteer for Connecting for Change.  For those who cannot afford the minimum donation, there are limited need-based scholarships available and they can be applied for through the registration page, apply for a need-based scholarship.

There is no deadline for registration, however, event organizers do anticipate that the conference will sell out due to the world-renowned keynote speaker line-up.

Scholarships are made possible by donations from other attendees, supporters, local organizations, and make a great impact on the ability of community youth to attend.  To learn more about the impact of scholarships at the conference, watch this video Connecting for Change: The Need for Scholarships.  To support the scholarship fund, click here: Support the Scholarship Fund.

4. Paid Features of the Event

For the registration cost, you will be able to attend keynote speeches and workshops under the categories of:

• Food & Farming
• Health & Healing
• Spirituality & Indigenous Knowledge
• Women Leadership
• Youth Leadership
• Social Justice
• Sustainability

These categories are referred to as “tracks” which is simply a system of organizing similar topics for those interested.  As Connecting for Change manager Brooke Syvertsen explained it to me, “If you were interested in Spirituality you would enjoy seeing keynotes Eben Alexander, Ptolemy Tompkins, and perhaps Princess Lucaj.  Ideally, there will be at least 5 workshops for each track.”  For more information about the 2013 keynote speakers, click here: Keynote Speakers.

Keynote speakers present from approximately 9:30 AM- 12 PMat the Zeiterion, and workshop sessions take place after lunch, from roughly 2-5:30 PM (with the exception of Sunday, which ends at 3:30 PM).  The schedule is still being finalized, but there will be 50 workshops over the course of the three days.

5. Free Features of the Event

There are several features of the event that you do not have to register for to participate in.  They are as follows:

Family Area

The family area includes family friendly activities that relate to the sustainability theme of the conference.  For example, last year families could participate in a recycled art activities.  The family area also includes music, live animal presentations such as The Birds of Prey Exhibit, and much more.

Farmers Market

A Farmers Market stationed on Purchase Street at Union Street will be open all three days of the event.  It will be open from 12 PM- 4 PM on Friday and Saturday, and 11 AM- 3 PM on Sunday.  The Farmers Market is a great way to pick up delicious, high quality local foods while also directly supporting the community.  Food items include fall vegetables, locally grown apples, apple cider, jams, jellies, honey, baked good and many other delicious options.

Youth Activities

The organizers of the Connecting for Change conference feel strongly about getting young people (ages 13-25) involved in learning more about interconnectedness, social justice and environmental sustainability.  Thus, there are free youth events offered that vary from hands-on activities to musical and artistic performances. There will also be many youth programs, schools, and colleges tabling in the Youth Tent to promote student involvement and “next steps” for those looking to further their education or enter into a certificate program.

To learn more about how the Youth Initiative element of the CFC conference is beneficial, check out this cool video (Youth at Connecting for Change 2012).

Exhibitor Hall

The exhibition hall features sustainable businesses and organizations,  music, art installations, live demonstrations, a book vendor, coffee and delicious snacks.

Movie at the Zeiterion Theatre

A movie that is still to be determined will be featured at the Zeiterion Theatre with free admission on Saturday evening of October 26th.  Stay tuned for more information!

Free Concert

Grammy-winning saxophonist Paul Winter will be performing for at the Zeiterion for free (open to the general public) as part of Connecting for Change on Friday, October 25th at 7:30pm. He will be performing Flyways, which is a musical celebration of the great bird migration from Africa through the Middle East to Eurasia interweaving the voices of the birds with indigenous music from the cultures over which they fly. To read more about the project and to watch some short clips on the performance click here Flyways Video.

There is a Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1430946260460447/. Invite your friends!

Every three years, Eric Clapton holds a guitar festival and invites the best guitar players of our time, and most of his favorite legends, like Buddy Guy, Gregg Allman and Jeff Beck. This year the festival was held at Madison Square Garden in New York on April 12th and 13th and sold out in minutes. The festival raises funds for Crossroads, the treatment facility that Clapton started in Antigua.

For those of us not lucky enough to score a ticket, Fathom Events presented a one-night only event in 500 cinemas across the country on Aug. 13th. The 2 1/2 hour film included backstage footage and a front row seat to incredible performances by some of the best musicians around. It surprised me that there were some empty seats. For only $15.00 one could have the privilege to listen to and watch up close, some of the greatest musicians on earth. Many whom I have seen in concert alone, but never collectively. What a treat!

After the first half hour of backstage and NY street footage leading up to the concert which was beautifully shot, Mr. Clapton came out and started the show with a sweet acoustic rendition of “Tears in Heaven”, which he wrote for his 4 year old son who tragically fell to his death in 1991. It was a beautiful way to start the show, but from then on, the electric guitars came out and we were entertained with some outstanding blues pairings.

John Mayer and Keith Urban blew everyone away with the Beatles song, “Don’t Let Me Down”, Jeff Beck still amazing with his young Australian bass player, Tal Wilkenfeld, doing “Going Down”, and Gary Clark Jr. impressing all with his talents and channeling the blues as if it was coming through his pores!

One of the most poignant numbers was Neil Young’s, “The Needle and the Damage Done” performed by Gregg Allman, Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes. It gave me chills and was apropos since this was for the Crossroads Center. “Midnight Rider” was a crowd favorite and “Why does Love Got to be so Sad” was also a high point!

The Garden went a little nuts at one point when they realized that Eric walked out onto the stage with non other than Keith Richards. They shared “Key to the Highway” and “Sweet Little Rock ‘n Roller”. Clapton also brought us back to the days of Cream with “Sunshine of your Love.” Yes, cream does rise to the top and this collaboration of greats at MSG was the cream of the crop!

One of my favorites was Buddy Guy featuring his protégée, our own hometown boy, 14 year old Quinn Sullivan. Quinn stepped forward during “Damn right, I Got the Blues”, and impressed the hell out of the crowd. It didn’t matter that he was the youngest performer there. He held his own with these guitar greats and has a genuine respect and gratitude for the blues giants who inspire him. Quinn happened to be sitting in the row in front of me with his family, which added to my enjoyment of the film as we all cheered when Quinn first appeared on screen. I saw Quinn at the Zeiterion Theatre in New Bedford with Buddy Guy 2 years ago, and at that time I was so impressed with him and thought he would go far. Only 2 short years later, he is a rising star.

Other performers included Robert Cray, Vince Gill, BB King and Los Lobos to name a few. Eight hours of music had to be edited down to 2 1/2. Not an easy task but the results were impressive. Aside from the music, there were beautiful shots of New York architecture, skylines and other interesting images.

So, for those of you who missed the concert as well as the movie, look for the DVD out this fall. Hopefully, that will include some added extras like the final jam with all the guitarists, which was not included in the movie. I will most definitely be getting the DVD, but better still, Crossroads 2016 just got added to my bucket list.

The weekend outlook, will be relatively cooler than what we’ve been experiencing. It’ll begin mostly sunny, and finish with a cloudy Sunday. There is only a 20% chance of rain on Sunday, and shouldn’t pass 80 degrees, so looks like we’ll have a weekend of decent weather. Good news for those who want to be outdoors!

As always, click on the title for more or detailed information on the event. Most of the events were pulled from our event calendar  where you can find hundreds of local area events each month. The event calendar is FREE, so if you are a local business, and not taking advantage of FREE publicity, shame on you! Are you a local business and want to sponsor this high traffic, weekend guide? Contact info@newbedfordguide.com for more details. Have an event to add? Check out our tutorial. For more info, you can click on each title. Know of another event this weekend? Post a reply!

Friday, August 16th

Narrated History Tour on N.B. Shuttle (11:00 am-1:00 pm)
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park’s shuttle, the NB Line, will now offer narrated tours on Friday afternoons on the Downtown Route in August from 11 AM-1 PM. New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, Southeastern Regional Transit Authority, and the City of New Bedford joined forces again this year to bring back the national park’s shuttle system, the NB LINE.

FREE Concert: Bon Jovi Tribute Band: Living on a Bad Name (7:00 pm)
A fan of Bon Jovi or want to relive the 80s? Head to the State Pier tonight at 6:00 p.m. for this free 21+ concert. The popular Living on a Bad Name will play all of your favorite hits from Bon Jovi. Leg warmers, giant hair clips, parachute pants and shoulder pads are optional.

Dock-U-Mentaries: “After the Storm: Lessons from the Northern Edge” (7:00 pm)
The Dock-U-Mentaries Film Series continues on Friday, August 16 with After the Storm: Lessons from the Northern Edge. Dock-U-Mentaries is a co-production of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and the Working Waterfront Festival. Films about the working waterfront are screened on the third Friday of each month beginning at 7:00 PM in the theater of the Corson Maritime Learning Center, located at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford. All programs are open to the public and presented free of charge.

Saturday, August 17th

Spc. Matthew Pollini Memorial Motorcycle Run (Taunton, MA) (9:00 am – 1:00 pm)
On Saturday, August 17th head at the National Guard Armory, 111 Honorable Gordon M.Owen Riverway, Taunton, Mass., as Spc. Matthew Pollini is honored and remembered. Registration starts at 9 a.m., and kickstands go up at 11 a.m. There will be a police escort and it’ll be ‘boots up’ for the whole ride!

Revolutionary War Setup at Fort Taber (9:00 am – 5:00 pm)
Cannons and Muskets will be firing Saturday at Fort Taber during the Revolutionary War Setup. Re-enactors, dressed in 18th century garb, will be executing drills practiced by soldiers during the war for our nation’s independence and you’ll be able to watch!

10th Annual Duck Derby at Allens Pond (Westport, MA) (3:00 pm – 5:00 pm)
Grand Prize is a trip for 2 to anywhere in the world, and tons of prizes for other placings. Complete prize list here. Deadline for duck adoption is Friday at 4:00 and don’t forget the festival that follows on Sunday!

Art Exhibit and Cocktail Party (5:30 pm – 9:30 pm)
On Saturday August 17, 2013 internationally acclaimed artist Ken Richards will be celebrating the opening of his New Bedford studio by hosting a gala Art Exhibit and cocktail party to raise money and awareness for United Way of Greater New Bedford Hunger Commission. Richards will donate 5% of all sales from the show to the commission.

Feast In The Wild; Cash Bar, Live Entertainment, Animals & Auctions (6:00 -10:00 pm)
Come to Buttonwood Park Zoo on Saturday, August 17th, for the first ever Feast in the Wild event. “It’s going to be a fun party to show off the Zoo as one of the region’s greatest treasures,” said Zoo Director Keith Lovett. “What better way to spend a summer evening than strolling through the Zoo and enjoying delicious food and drink, live entertainment, a unique silent and live auction, and special hands-on encounters with our amazing animals. In addition to having a good time, you’ll be helping to ensure that the Zoo can continue to provide quality programming.”

Entertainment will be provided by El Caribe’ Steel Drum and Endless Summer. Participating restaurants include: 3rd Rock Coffee Company, 99 Restaurant, Bear’s Den Café, Cravings Café and Cakery, Cork Wine and Tapas, Davy’s Locker, Domino’s Pizza, End Zone Sports Pub, Fay’s Restaurant, Fernando’s Grille and Bar, The Gourmet Outlet, Homlyke Bakery, Lebanese Pita Pocket Restaurant, Mad Good Cookie Company, Milk & Honey, Not Your Average Joe’s, Oxford Creamery, The Rose Alley Ale House, Sunrise Bakery & Coffee Shop, Ten Cousins Brick Oven, Texas Roadhouse, Top Shelf, Wicked Kickin’.

Sunday, August 18th

10th Annual Duck Derby Festival (Westport, MA) (8:30 am – 2:00 pm)
What’s in store for the Duck Derby Festival? A 5k Ducky Dash and Kid’s Obstacle Course followed with BBQ, Educational Exhibits, Games, Crafts, Live Music, Silent and Live Auction and more!

Westport Summer Film Series 2013: “Inocente” (1:00 pm)
Inocente is an award winning short film about a 15 year old homeless girl, that discovers art and it transforms her life. The film won an Academy Award for Best Documentary (Short Subject). 40 minutes long. Screenings to take place at the Dedee Shattuck Gallery, 865 Main Road, Westport.

West Island Improvement Association Clambake (12:00 – 3:00 pm)
The annual West Island Improvement Association Clambake is here! Chowdah, clams, mussels, lobsters and more! 41 Causeway Road. For tickets call Linda Meredith, (508) 994-8751. Proceeds benefited the West Island Improvement Association.

Want to sponsor this weekend guide? Contact info@newbedfordguide.com for more details. 

Why the heck would you go Downtown?
The downtown area has undergone a sort of revival these past few years. I recall a time when Purchase Street had many boarded up businesses, and was generally in disrepair. It was simply an area that was best avoided. I mention this, because I have a recurring conversation with many of New Bedford’s denizens.

It generally begins harmless enough with a “Where are you going tonight?” When I reply that I am heading downtown and will be eating at No Problemo, watching live music at The Pour Farm, or mention any other destination, I usually get a snicker and/or a puzzled look. Almost always there’s a cynical comment of some sort. “Downtown? Why the heck would you go downtown?” is a common follow-up quip.

Many people still erroneously believe that downtown is still a run down, depressed section of town. While it has a long way to go, and many issues to iron out, it has vastly improved. While they register disbelief when I tell them about the revival that downtown has undergone, I think I experience greater disbelief when people say they’ve never heard of some of what has become daily fixtures for me. Tapas, Jazz, Art, and Festivals downtown? You gotta be pulling my leg, right? Tomfoolery!

I’m beginning to enjoy blowing people’s minds. So imagine how flabbergasted they are when I mention to them about the urban winery downtown, right smack in the heart of the district. “You mean a packy?” they quiz. “No. A bonafide, honest micro-winery.” I reply. “Like…a wine shop?” they say puzzled. “Well, you can buy wine there. They make it right on site, and sell it within their shop.” You would think I told them that Jimmy Hoffa’s body had just been found.

Well, I think the point is fairly illustrated. There is a genuine urban micro-winery right on Purchase Street that many are unaware exists – that includes people who actually frequent downtown and walk by it often. Travessia produces award winning wines using primarily local, Massachusetts-grown grapes. Yes, they make these wines right there on Purchase Street.

Owner, Vintner, and Driving Force: Marco Montez
So, who exactly are “they”? Owner, vintner, and driving force behind Travessia is Angola born, Marco Montez. Marco, was born in the Portuguese colony, and lived there until civil war broke out in 1975. The conditions forced Marco’s family to return to Portugal, to the medieval Trás-os-Montes – a region in the northeast, that is well-known for its wines. They are so well known, in fact, that the entire region is entitled to use the protected designation of origin. That is the equivalent of saying that the Bologna you just bought was produced in Bologna, Italy or the Parmesan cheese you bought is from Parma, Italy. No one else who produces the same product can say that it’s the genuine article unless they are from that specific region. It’s quite a distinguishing honor.

Marco grew up in this region that treasured wine and wine making. It’s in their bones. It can’t be separated from their culture. It’s who they are. From the young age of 6, Marco was involved in helping out in making the wine. In this village of 1,000 souls, everyone made wine. Everyone drank wine, and Marco confesses that he was sampling wine at 10 years old. His family produced approximately 500 bottles of wine per year. That’s ONE family, mind you.

This is where Marco stayed and made wine, and likely would have for the rest of his life. If not for a fortuitous visit to Massachusetts to reconnect with relatives, the story would have ended here. Marco enjoyed his stay so much, that he returned within a year and in spite of being incapable of speaking English, attended New Bedford High School. Picking up the language quickly, he graduated and headed to UMASS to earn a degree in Electrical Engineering, which he completed in 1996. Post graduation meant plowing ahead into a career in engineering and even a foray into software. For 16 years, he plugged away at the American Dream.

No Escape From Wine-making Bones
However, there’s no escape from wine for a young man from Trás-os-Montes. After all, it’s in the bones. To paraphrase, the proverbial saying “Find what you love to do, and you don’t work a day in your life.” applied here. Electrical engineering and software weren’t his obsessions. His passion for wine and wine making pecked continuously at him and the grapes beckoned. The pull was powerful and not something he could ignore.

However, there were things to consider and obstacles to overcome. What should he do? Corporate life meant financial security. Staving out on one’s own was a massive risk that could prove to be financial suicide. The appeal to trade discontent for happiness can be a powerful lure, that could lead to ruin. “With big risks, come big rewards,” they say. But that story could end tragically, and often does. Any thoughts of pursuing his dream were seemingly dashed when he began to research the logistics of starting a vineyard. Close to a million dollars would be needed to purchase enough real estate, and erect a proper facility. This simply wasn’t within reach.

But those darn grapes beckoned. As fate would have it, in 2007 he accepted an offer from Running Brook Vineyards in North Dartmouth, while continuing to keep one foot in the software world. It was his first fateful step back into wine-making. While he was refining his wine-making, he went on vacation to Oakland, California and saw his first Urban Winery – a winery within a city, as opposed to the rural countryside, that not only sells wine, but actually produces it. This rekindled his hopes and owning his own winery became a real prospect. Not long after returning to Massachusetts, Marco decided to strike out on his own and on December 14, 2008 Travessia was born at 760 Purchase Street.

With only his cousin, Edson Pereira and an occasional family member to help, Marco began to combine the centuries old family recipes, experience at Running Brook and ideas that had been brewing for years – pardon the pun – to mold his own inspired creations. While Marco freely admits that he has no official training in enology, or wine-making, he feels this contributes to a certain experimental freedom and was no barrier to being capable to producing world class wine. One of the fundamental tenets that Marco adamantly adheres to in is that terroir is integral to making the best wine on earth. All his wines, excepting the Jester label (Red) are Massachusetts-grown grapes. He believes that the local geology, geography, and climate are mandatory aspects of superlative wine-making.

Success, Accolades, and Awards
Indeed, interview any of his thousands of satisfied customers, and they will fill you right in on how his labels compete with or even outdo some of the finest. Lest you think I am biased: Travessia attends the annual Wine Riot in Boston. This major event features over 250 wines from around the world in a head to head battle. The major league players are always present and competition is as tough as it gets. Marco’s Vidal Blanc was awarded the #1 overall wine, beating out all the others. He also took home 3rd and 4th places in other categories. Three out of the top four wines out of 250 reside here in New Bedford! (Last year his Pinot Noir Rosé took home 3rd best overall wine.)

By 2011, his moderate success allowed him to expand his Purchase Street facility. In March of 2012, Marco’s wines had proven themselves enough that he completely left the corporate world behind and dedicated 100% of his time and effort to Travessia.

The Wines
The current wine line-up consists of 3 whites – Riesling, Chardonnay, and Vidal Blanc – a Pinot Noir Rosé, and a Red called Jester which is a 2011 vintage. Prices range between $15-$19. The Chardonnay and the Jester were both aged in French oak barrels, for 6 months and a year, respectively and then bottled unfiltered. As mentioned previously, these grapes are harvested here in Massachusetts, except the Jester whose grapes yield from sunny California. The wines average an 11% alcohol content, with the Jester peaking at 14.4%.

Red
The 2011 Jester is a blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petite Sirah. There is a genius in this varietal blend. The Cabernet, Syrah and petite Sirahs are powerful, full bodied varietals often lending themselves to a coffee, blackberry or black pepper aromas. Drinking these alone is typically for the “hardcore” wine drinker. The Sirah here compliments the powerhouses with its fruitiness. The final component, the Zinfandel brings its higher sugar content to the table, sweetening the blend and telling the other three to “settle down.” It really is a well-thought out and careful blend that has resulted in an amazing, and “safe” red for everyone. If you are a steak lover, this wine is perfect company. Lamb, venison and even a hamburger will match well.

Rosé
The medium-dry Pinot Noir Rosé that took 3rd place overall at the Wine Riot is a wine whose grapes come from Westport Rivers Vineyard. The grapes are picked, crushed, and pressed the same day and the skins are left in contact with the juice for a few hours to extract more flavor and tannin and acquire its gorgeous color. Three grams of sugar per liter give a little bit of sweetness. This is a perfect wine for Tapas, cured meats or spicy foods. Think Thai Cuisine.

White
The Vidal Blanc is considered the star of the show at Travessia. These grapes are brought from Running Brook Vineyards in Westport and Dartmouth and lightly crushed before pressing. One of the ways to ruin a white table wine is to make it syrupy and resemble a dessert wine. Often, the sugar overpowers any attempt to admire and relish the flavors. A white table wine done properly will bring the sweetness up to a point where the complex flavors are unharmed. Marco does this perfectly, almost magically. This is why his Vidal Blanc consistently wins awards and more importantly, thrills those who try it. Typically a Vidal Blanc is paired with seafood in general and works famously with lobster, crab and shrimp. You can also pair it with any “white” pizzas.

The Chardonnay is the other unfiltered wine. Many Chardonnay drinkers seemingly sit on one side of the fence, in terms of preference: aged in oak barrels or not. Seldom do I find someone that couldn’t care less. This vintage in particular was aged 6 months and the natural malolactic fermentation gives it the “butteriness” that many Chardonnay drinkers enjoy. Perfectly paired with poultry, particularly roasted or grilled chicken with a little char.

The Riesling is a sweeter wine, but less sweeter than the Vidal Blanc. This fruity, aromatic wine is a crisp, medium-dry creation that has all the elements that one looks for in a standard Riesling. What makes Travessia’s Riesling stand out is the proper amount of sugar content. Again, allow the natural flavors to shine, yet retaining enough sugar to please. This vintage is perfectly matched your favorite Thai or Vietnamese food, especially Nime Chow.

The Future, Tasting, and Wine Club
Marco has clearly found his life’s passion, and that often translates into great contributions. Who knows what each wine season will have in store, and what delights Marco and Travessia will surprise us with. Marco has greater ambitions for Travessia and has his sights set on purchasing agricultural land in the Southeastern New England area for his own vineyard.

Travessia often offers sampling events and they are conveniently positioned so that you can purchase a bottle or two on your way to many of the local eateries. The newly added function room is a classy addition that allows people to browse, sample and ask questions. A local artists handiwork always decorates the walls.

There are cheeses and chocolates to pair with the wines to help you make a decision. Tasting room manager Jenn Marcos not only warmly welcomes you, but warmly answers every question you have. Marco clearly has high standards, and he chose someone who demonstrates a similar passion about wine. You’d be hard pressed to find a more knowledgeable tasting room manager in the area.

The Travessia Wine Club is free to join. To maintain your membership one buys three bottles, four times per year, of YOUR choosing. If you live in Massachusetts they can ship it to you and the shipping is free if you buy at least 3 bottles. You get 10% discount on all wines and merchandise. So if you are going to buy wine anyway, it makes a heck of a lot of sense and translates into real savings.

You also get invited to special events, FREE wine tasting for you and a guest, and what Marco calls “Wine Geekdom.” In his words “Free or discounted admission to educational events. Other benefits such as special gifts, winemaker’s newsletter, etc.”

Travessia is open for tasting and sales Wednesday-Saturday from 12 to 6 pm and Sunday from 12-5 pm. Arrive no later than 30 minutes before closing time. If you are a group of 10 or more and wish to schedule a tasting, call 774.929.6534. 24 hours ahead of time.

Website: www.travessiawine.com
760 Purchase Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
Phone: (774) 929-6534

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/travessia
Order Online: http://www.travessiawine.com/order.html

Unfortunately, this weekend outlook Don’t be frightened. This weekend’s only rain will be some scattered thunder storms on Friday. Saturday will perk up in terms of temperature and hit 86 degrees and partly cloudy, before “cooling” to 80 degrees and mostly sunny for Sunday.

Click on the title of each event for detailed information. Most of the events were pulled from our event calendar  where you can find hundreds of local area events each month. The event calendar is FREE, so if you are a local business, and not taking advantage of FREE publicity, shame on you! Are you a local business and want to sponsor this high traffic, weekend guide? Contact info@newbedfordguide.com for more details. Have an event to add? Check out our tutorial. For more info, you can click on each title. Know of another event this weekend? Post a reply!

Friday, August 9th

Fun Fridays (FREE admission Ocean Explorium) (9:00 am)
Free Fun Fridays is the annual summer program that opens doors at no cost to visitors to many of the most treasured cultural venues in Massachusetts. This year, 60 museums and cultural venues will participate in the program, which is an increase from the 50 venues that participated in 2012. Beginning June 28th through August 30th, six cultural venues will be open free-of-charge every Friday for 10 weeks this summer.

Living on a Bad Name (Bon Jovi Tribute) at Apponagansett Park  (5:30 pm)
Living on a Bad Name is a Bon Jovi tribute act featuring recording artist Ethan Brosh of Magna Carta Records. Ethan is the lead guitarist. Jon Bon Jovi is played by local radio personality Ken Pittman of WBSM. Ken’s son Keith rocks on the drums and is currently a sophmore in the DHS band. $5 per person at gate. $4 in advance. Children under 12 Free. Gates open at 5:30pm.

All Concerts are Weather permitting. All advance ticket sales and season passes must be paid in check and are available for purchase at the Parks & Recreation Office Dartmouth, Ma.

Summer Sound Series: Craig DeMelo The Whiskey Poet & Band (8:00 pm-10:00 pm)
The twenty-eight year old has been playing stages from coast-to-coast since 2002. He’s been to every major club in New England, opening for such National Acts as Howie Day, Hootie and the Blowfish, Matchbox 20, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Less than Jake, and Griffin House. He’s also had three successful tours in California in 2007, 2008, and 2009. Along the way, he’s written over 80 songs.

Saturday, August 10th

Penikese Island Adventure (Woods Hole, MA) (9:00 am-4:00 pm)
Join the Buzzards Bay Coalition on one of two full-day excursions to explore Penikese Island, a remote and beautiful island in the middle of Buzzards Bay. Planned activities include an oyster farming demonstration, a tour of Penikese Island School, and coastal exploration activities with Coalition education staff. The cost is $60 for Buzzards Bay Coalition members, $75 for the general public, and $40 for children. We will meet at the Buzzards Bay Discovery Center (21 Luscombe Avenue, Woods Hole). Registration is required. For more information or to RSVP, contact Alicia Pimental at 508-999-6363 x226 or pimental@savebuzzardsbay.org.

Blowout 2013 (Dartmouth, MA)
Good Fun for Good Causes in Dartmouth, Massachusetts…August 10, 2013…always the second Saturday in August, noon – 10 PM. Full details: https://www.facebook.com/dartmouthblowout.

Newport Waterfront Reggae Festival (Newport, RI) (12:30 pm)
A fan of Reggae music? Then you be simply jazzed at the 4th Annual Newport Waterfront Reggae Festival. Rain or shine it’s happening! You hear the ska, roots, or reggae from acts like Spiritual Rez and DJ Realm, Jah Soldier of OmegaSound, Morgan Heritage, Anthony B, Bushman, and Chuck Fenda!

Annual Summer Member Mingle and Art Fair (Fairhaven, MA) (4:00pm-6:00pm)
Head to Art on Center tomorrow evening for the Annual Summer Member Mingle and Art Fair featuring 100 original pieces of art from locals. Light refreshments will be provided. Exhibition will run through September. Doors open at 11:00 a.m. Call 774.206.1709 or e-mail info@artoncenter.org

Sunday, August 11th

19th Annual Classic Car Show and Fun Day/Flea Market (Dartmouth, MA) (10:30 am)
Crafts, flea market, refreshments, classic cars, games, DJ and more!

Marion Summer Clam Bake (Marion, MA) (1:30 pm)
Come join the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2425 on Sunday, August 11, 1:30 pm, for our annual summer clam bake, right in the pit, old-style, at the Marion VFW Pavilion on Route 6. Plenty of parking. Donation accepted/asked of $30, or what you can. For tickets, contact Brad Arruda at 774-454-7005 or Rodney Hunt at 508-287-2357. Get out of your chair and enjoy life: You are welcome – come and join us!

Community Drum Circle (Fairhaven, MA) (7:00 pm)
Rhythm celebration (not a performance), second Sundays. There will be drums to play if you don’t have your own. Newcomers welcome.

Want to sponsor this weekend guide? Contact info@newbedfordguide.com for more details. 

100 Alden Road
Fairhaven, MA 02719

Restaurant Type:

Italian

Hours:

Monday- Thursday, 11:30 am- 9:30 pm
Friday, 11:30 am- 10:00 pm
Saturday, 4pm- 10 pm
Sunday, 4pm- 9 pm

Contact:

Telephone – (508) 993-9913
Email – info@thepastahouse.net
Website – http://www.thepastahouse.net
Menu –  The Pasta House Menu’s & Specials

Restaurant Reviews:

• Yelp Customer Reviews – The Pasta House Yelp Reviews – Like The Pasta House? Give them a review!
  
• Google Places Customer Reviews – The Pasta House Google Reviews – Like The Pasta House? Give them a review!
• Trip Advisor Customer Reviews – The Pasta House Trip Advisor Reviews – Like The Pasta House? Give them a review!
  
• Standard Times Review – The Pasta House Standard Times Review
  
• Phantom Gourmet – The Pasta House on Phantom Gourmet
  

Restaurant Features:

• A full bar including draft beers and an extensive wine offering
• A fireplace (lit seasonally)
• Flat screen TVs in the lounge area
• An outdoor dining patio (seasonal)
• A stone deck pizza oven

History :

The Pasta House building has been a part of Fairhaven since 1968 when it was built by Victor Fleurent as a steak house with exposed wooden beams called “The Paddock Pub”. In 1975 the business changed hands, and for five years it was known as the “J.W. Western Steakhouse”. It was in 1981 that the Raikkonen family bought the property and changed the cuisine from a steak house to a five star Italian restaurant.

The Pasta House as we know it today was bought by Mario Ribeiro in 2001 and while the menu remained oriented around Italian food, he aimed to make The Pasta House more of a casual dining affair through a major renovation in 2009. Through renovations the ambiance was transformed from a “white table cloth” style eatery to a more laid-back ambiance. A stone deck pizza oven was also added, and in addition to top-notch Italian food, steak and seafood, pizza was made available to customers. Despite the many changes made, the exposed wooden beams are still an architectural feature of The Pasta House.

Awards and Recognition:

• New Bedford Seaport Chowder Festival Winners 

-Best Seafood Chowder: 2006, 2009, 2011
-Best Clam Chowder: 2008, 2012

• Featured on the Phantom Gourmet in 2011 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLjsbM2tEEY)

Be active and hit the streetscape!

You may have noticed already, that New Bedford is slowly becoming increasingly bike friendly. As many cities across the nation, regardless of size  are flourishing with a bike infrastructure because of the demand for better bike facilities, New Bedford is not far behind. Gasoline prices are now at nearly $4 a gallon and there is no going back to the old $1 a gallon days. As a result, more and more bikes will be roaming our streets as citizens are re-discovering the joys of biking, not just for leisure or exercise, but for commuting.

The great thing about our fair city is the compact density due to it being built in an era where the car did not exist. Essentially, its streetscape was built with the pedestrian in mind and not the car. That is why most of our streets are narrower than usual. So it’s not a sprawling city like some cities in the South or out West. This density allows us to have greater access to parts of the city at shorter distances like the many restaurants, bars, parks, and our wonderful waterfront.

So as more of our citizens are choosing to ride their bikes either for exercise, leisure, or to run errands, more of us will demand better facilities.. Also, as better bike infrastructure is planned and built, more citizens will demand the bicycle. So what will most likely happen to our city is that it will become a biking haven not only that will encourage neighbors to dust off their garaged bikes, but also attract others from surrounding cities to come to our city to use these facilities. Hopefully at the same time while shopping in our art galleries, eating at our restaurants, and drinking at our watering holes.

The New Bedford Bike Committee has been working with the city leaders in making the city more bike friendly, while improving the pedestrian access of our favorite parts of the city. As the committee continues to work with the public and its citizens on their concerns and improvement suggestions, they have worked hard to make their opinions heard by those that make the city planning decisions. As a result, Mayor Mitchell and his staff have been fully supportive of the bike committee’s efforts! So, if you have issues or concerns about the city’s bike planning,  it is important that you show up at the committee’s meetings in order to have your suggestions considered! This includes the future bike rack placements that are coming soon!

It is important that you recognize the rules of the road while driving or even biking in New Bedford. While biking, always stay to the right at the same direction the car traffic is flowing. If traveling on the newly paved bike routes you may have noticed on South Front St or Acushnet Ave, always keep in mind to stay on the bike lane and keep to the far right of it. If you see a vehicle ahead parked on the bike lane, always slow down and stop before you pass this parked car as another car may be approaching or the door of the parked car might open. As a motorist, you will actually be at fault if opening the door as a biker passes and you’ll receive a ticket for $100. So as a biker or a car driver, please be aware!

If you are a driver, always be aware of bikers when making right turns on the roads marked by paved bike lanes. This is how most bike accidents happen in other cities with on road bike lanes. Being aware of bikes while driving on roads with marked bike lanes might be the difference between saving or taking a life! Also, if passing a biker, it is best to pass them giving them plenty of room in case they happen to fall or jump out in front of your car by mistake. This may happen and may be the difference of striking a biker, hurting or killing them or avoiding the situation altogether. I cannot recall how many times cars have passed me inches away. Remember, as a driver of a motor vehicle, you are responsible if you hit a bicyclist riding on the right of the road. So even if they jump out in front of you, as long as you hit them on the right side of the road, the driver of the motor vehicle will be at fault. So it is best to be safe than sorry!

While biking in our roads, it is prudent to wear a helmet. This also might be the difference between you getting hurt with just a few scrapes or getting brain trauma. If you are biking at night, always wear plenty of reflectors on your bike and or your clothing. It is also a good idea to shop around for a good lighting set for your bike. I have a set of flashers on my own bike for the front and rear and find that they really help in getting a driver’s attention.

So as a car driver, moped rider, and bicycle rider myself, I have to be aware of the laws as they help me stay safe and keeps me from paying unnecessary fees for tickets or fines. Like most of us, if you want to enjoy our community, it is best to follow these rules and be aware of potential risks. Doing so will give you more confidence on the road and will allow you to still have fun. So get to the basement, go to the nearest bike shop, or even shop the weekend yard sales and dust off that old bike to get out and see the city from a different vantage point! Your wallet, body and soul will reward you for it!

If you want to help or contribute to the future of bike planning in our city, go to the meetings held every month in City Hall. Check the New Bedford Bike Committee’s web site at www.nbbike.org and like them up on facebook!

For more info on rules and regulations for drivers and bicycle riders, go check the massbike website here: http://massbike.org/resourcesnew/bike-law/bike-law-update/

The Miss New Bedford Scholarship Program is now seeking contestants for its annual Miss New Bedford Pageant! This year’s winner will receive a $3,000 scholarship plus an incredible prize package! Last year, the program celebrated its 60th anniversary, awarding Acushnet resident Janelle Guenette with a $6,000 scholarship. Since 1954, the pageant has awarded more than $120,000 to winners and contestants. In addition, the program is renowned for its emphasis on community service. Each year, Miss New Bedford participates in a range of 75 to 125 community engagements and charitable events throughout her year. Because the program provides a strong foundation for future success, Miss New Bedford titleholders have gone on to accomplish great things in all aspects of their lives from business to family, and community.

Now, it’s another young woman’s turn to win the opportunity of a lifetime….

The What and Why: A life-changing opportunity. Have fun, make new friends, win scholarship money, and earn the chance to stand beside elected officials, network with professionals, brush up on public speaking skills, and enhance your resume. Titleholders and past contestants alike attribute their confidence, drive, and ambition to the skills they learned from competing. Most say that the Interview phase of competition prepared them later in life to excel in professional interviews and achieve their career goals.

The Who: The pageant is open to young women, 17 to 24 years of age, living, working, or attending school in Acushnet, Assonet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Freetown, Lakeville, Mattapoisett, Marion, New Bedford, Rochester, and Westport. The current reigning Miss New Bedford is Janelle Guenette. A resident of Acushnet, she is a graduate of Bridgewater State University with a B.A. in Communications Studies. As Miss New Bedford, Janelle has devoted her year to promoting Big Brothers Big Sisters – a program uniting positive mentors with youth. Janelle received a $6,000 scholarship, plus an additional scholarship from winning the Lifestyle and Physical Fitness Preliminary Award at this year’s Miss Massachusetts pageant.

The ‘Say What’?! The perks of being Miss New Bedford are endless. Not only is there scholarship money, but an outstanding prize package. Local donors and sponsors contribute all the essentials for Miss New Bedford throughout her year including wardrobe allowances, gift certificates, massages, hair and nail care, tanning, personal training and a gym membership, personal make-up artistry, custom jewelry and more. Then, there are the appearances! Some requests are truly unbelievable from out-of-state trips to emceeing major events! Lastly, the chance to compete at the Miss Massachusetts pageant offers additional scholarship money and the incredible chance to compete for the title of Miss America!

Learn More NOW!: Anyone interested should attend the upcoming informational meeting and orientation on Sunday, Aug. 18, at 10 a.m. at the Cheryl McCormack Academy of Dance, 731 Tarkiln Hill Road, New Bedford (behind the King’s Highway Stop&Shop). Attendance creates no obligation to compete. This is simply an information session, so please attend! (The pageant will be held on Sunday, October 6th.) You must notify the facilitator of your attendance in advance. You may do this via www.missnewbedford.org by emailing info@missnewbedford.org or calling us at 508-264-2437.

Unfortunately, this weekend outlook will start out wet. Don’t be discouraged, because the rain (60% chance) is limited to early Friday, and will clear up later in the day. Generally speaking it will be in the 80s and partly cloudy all weekend.

Click on the title of each event for detailed information. Most of the events were pulled from our event calendar  where you can find hundreds of local area events each month. The event calendar is FREE, so if you are a local business, and not taking advantage of FREE publicity, shame on you! Are you a local business and want to sponsor this high traffic, weekend guide? Contact info@newbedfordguide.com for more details. Have an event to add? Check out our tutorial. For more info, you can click on each title. Know of another event this weekend? Post a reply!

Friday, August 2nd

Buzzards Bay Regatta: Day 1 (Dartmouth) (7:00 am)
Buzzards Bay is waiting for you with its exceptional sailing conditions and famous Southwest breeze. Our committee has been working hard over the winter to get the details in place for yet another fantastic event. Our top priority continues to be excellent race management and we have put together a great team of experienced Race Officers. Logistics are also key and we promise that parking, transportation, launching and hauling, etc will run smoothly. After sailing, the fun will continue, with bands each night and a chance to enjoy the company of your fellow sailors.

Race takes place at the New Bedford Yacht Club at 208 Elm Street, South Dartmouth.

99th Annual Portuguese Feast (Day 2)  (6:00 pm-12:00 am)
The New Bedford Feast of the Blessed Sacrament, a.k.a. the Portuguese Feast, a.k.a. Madeira Feast is the largest event the city has every year. More than that, it is the largest Portuguese feast in the world and the largest ethnic festival in New England. The feast was founded in 1915 by four Madeiran immigrants who wanted to recreate the festivities of their home island.

Read more: http://www.newbedfordguide.com/99th-portuguese-feast-survival-guide/2013/07/15

Bay Sox vs. Ocean State Waves (6:30 pm-9:30 pm)
Most people in the SouthCoast know, by now, that there is a baseball team called the New Bedford Bay Sox playing ball around here someplace. Many folks don’t know what kind of team the Bay Sox are and just how good the baseball is. Join the Bay Sox at Paul Walsh Field and cheer on your New Bedford Bay Sox as they challenge the Ocean State Waves! Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and children 16 years and younger.

Tryworks Open Mic (7-10pm) 

Poet, singer, dancer, comic; whatever you bring come join the fun and “let your little light shine”. Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/220284438124030/?ref=2

Saturday, August 3rd

99th Annual Portuguese Feast (Day 3) (10:00 am-12:00 am)
The New Bedford Feast of the Blessed Sacrament, a.k.a. the Portuguese Feast, a.k.a. Madeira Feast is the largest event the city has every year. More than that, it is the largest Portuguese feast in the world and the largest ethnic festival in New England. The feast was founded in 1915 by four Madeiran immigrants who wanted to recreate the festivities of their home island.

Read more: http://www.newbedfordguide.com/99th-portuguese-feast-survival-guide/2013/07/15

Buzzards Bay Regatta: Day 2 (Dartmouth) (7:00 am)
Buzzards Bay is waiting for you with its exceptional sailing conditions and famous Southwest breeze. Our committee has been working hard over the winter to get the details in place for yet another fantastic event. Our top priority continues to be excellent race management and we have put together a great team of experienced Race Officers. Logistics are also key and we promise that parking, transportation, launching and hauling, etc will run smoothly. After sailing, the fun will continue, with bands each night and a chance to enjoy the company of your fellow sailors.

Race takes place at the New Bedford Yacht Club at 208 Elm Street, South Dartmouth.

“Spinner Loves New Bedford” Book Signing Party at Gallery X (6:00pm-10:00pm)
Authors of Spinner Publications’ new book, A Picture History of New Bedford, Volume 1 (1602-1925), will be on hand to sign books at “Spinner Loves New Bedford” book signing party at Gallery X, 169 William Street, New Bedford, Massachusetts on Saturday, August 3 from 6 to 10 p.m. The five authors, Joseph D. Thomas, Alfred H. Saulniers, Natalie A. White, Marsha L. McCabe and Jay Avila, will available throughout the evening to sign limited edition cloth covered signed and numbered books as well as sturdy paperback books. The public is invited free.

Guests will enjoy light refreshments and entertainment at the festive “Spinner Loves New Bedford” book signing party The event coincides with Gallery X’s Swain School of Design Alumni Show. A film, “New Bedford Through the Years,” including never- before- seen vintage footage of New Bedford will also be shown. For more information, contact Spinner Publications at (508) 994-4564, visit www.spinnerpub.com or look up Spinner Publications on Facebook.

Family Movie Night (Charlotte’s Web) & Tractor Rides (Acushnet) (7:15 pm)
Silverbrook Farm wants to offer you a chance to relax with the Family! They are always looking for affordable things to do with the family, so why not take them to the movies? Bring everyone to FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT! Taking place the first Saturday of EVERY month, Silverbrook will show a farm family favorite outside under the stars! Go grab a blanket and the family and come and see us! Admission is just $5.00 per person.

There will also tractor rides at 7:15 and 8:15 pm. Not too long of a ride, not too short, just enough time to enjoy the evening and forget about the hustle for awhile. Admission is FREE with any Ice Cream purchase, and just $3.00 per person without. You can even make a night out of it and include a MOVIE NIGHT and enjoy both events for $7.00. Come relax on the Farm…and get away from it all! 934 Main Street, Acushnet. Click on title for more info.

Sunday, August 4th

Buzzards Bay Regatta: Day 3 (Dartmouth) (10:30 am)
Buzzards Bay is waiting for you with its exceptional sailing conditions and famous Southwest breeze. Our committee has been working hard over the winter to get the details in place for yet another fantastic event. Our top priority continues to be excellent race management and we have put together a great team of experienced Race Officers. Logistics are also key and we promise that parking, transportation, launching and hauling, etc will run smoothly. After sailing, the fun will continue, with bands each night and a chance to enjoy the company of your fellow sailors.

Race takes place at the New Bedford Yacht Club at 208 Elm Street, South Dartmouth.

99th Annual Portuguese Feast (Day 4)  (12:00 pm-12:00 am)
The New Bedford Feast of the Blessed Sacrament, a.k.a. the Portuguese Feast, a.k.a. Madeira Feast is the largest event the city has every year. More than that, it is the largest Portuguese feast in the world and the largest ethnic festival in New England. The feast was founded in 1915 by four Madeiran immigrants who wanted to recreate the festivities of their home island.

Read more: http://www.newbedfordguide.com/99th-portuguese-feast-survival-guide/2013/07/15

Want to sponsor this weekend guide? Contact info@newbedfordguide.com for more details. 

Summer is in full effect and with my list of fun time activities growing smaller and smaller, my son and I begin to acknowledge the bleak notion that we may, in fact, lose our minds. A mind is a terrible thing to waste, let alone two! So, in order to quell the stuck-at-home blues, I suggest to him we take a trip to the Buttonwood Park Zoo, and away we go!

A little fun fact about the BPZ, it happens to be the oldest, continually operating zoo in Massachusetts. Pretty neat, huh? Owned and operated by the City of New Bedford, and supported by the nonprofit Buttonwood Park Zoological society, its’ primary theme, From the Berkshires to the Sea, focuses on the land and water based wildlife found mainly around North America; with the exception of the Asian elephants, of course!

With nearly 200 species to care for, the BPZ staff has placed a special emphasis on creating natural habitats for the animals, comparable to those found in the wild. The charismatic River Otters, the majestic Harbor Seals, and the sleepy Black Bears are just a few of the many animals you’ll encounter on your journey. And once you cross the adorable covered bridge and head into the Buttonwood Farm, you’ll mingle with the goats, smile at the horses, and speculate what that gang of chickens is really up to. We bet it’s no good!

The Zoo’s Wildlife Education Center and Zookeeper Staff offer a full range of programs for children of all ages! Animal Encounters allows people the opportunity to chat with the zoo keepers and experience the bears, elephants, or seals in a more up-close and personal setting. Zoo Nights gives visitors a fresh and unique perspective on the animals they only ever see during the day, who, like some people, are less active in the summer heat. The animals are definitely more alert, and as a bonus, you get to roam the zoo at night! It’s super fun! I know, because my son and I have done it! For groups of 20+ people there’s Flashlight Adventures, Critter Camp-ins, and Twilight Tours; all excellent ways to experience the zoo in nontraditional ways!

If, by chance, your family should find themselves at the zoo on a Monday, my son and I would most definitely recommend catching one of the Toe Jam Puppet Band’s famous shows. Located by the elephants, weather permitting, or inside the cafeteria building, admission is just $5 additional dollars for all the singing and dancing you can muster! And be sure to say “hi” to Tom and Vinny for us before heading out to catch a ride on the zoo train, or hopping aboard the Wildlife Carousel!

When you’ve finally hit that point where your feet begin to ache and your attention starts to wane, stop into the Bear’s Den Café and take a load off. Reflect on your joyful experience and be thankful for it. You’ll be refreshed and ready to return another time; or perhaps even make one last trip around the zoo before you leave to bid the animal’s farewell.

For those of you who worry that a trip to the zoo might not be in your budget, head on over to one of New Bedford’s libraries and reserve a pass for your family. The pass includes a one day admission for up to four people, free of charge! And while you’re there, be sure to pick up a few zoological themed books (to get your little ones even more excited), and Dig Into Reading

So when boredom hits your household and you fear your children may usurp, thwart their revolution with a visit to the Buttonwood Park Zoo! It’s a wonderful way to fill the day with fun, education, and the great outdoors; all while being surrounded by beautiful animals, passionate people, and the ones you love.

For more information and updates on the zoo, be sure to give their Facebook a ‘like,’ and stay in the loop! Also, check out New Bedford Guide’s Buttonwood Park Zoo photo gallery for 100 photos of the zoo!

Summer Hours are March – September: 9:00am – 5:00pm, daily (with the last admission at 4:15pm)

New Bedford Resident Admission (Must show proof of New Bedford Residency)
Adult: $6
Senior/Student: $4.50
Child (Ages 3-12): $3
Child Under Age 3: FREE
Parking: Free

Non-Resident Admission
Adult: $8
Senior/Student: $6
Child (Ages 3-12): $4
Child Under Age 3: FREE

The Zoo accepts MasterCard and Visa at the front gate for ticket purchases and MasterCard, Visa and Discover at the Café and Gift Shop.

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