The Gratitude Festival Team is thrilled to announce the first Annual Gratitude Harvest Festival taking place on Saturday, September 7, 2013, opening at 12:00 pm. The Gratitude Harvest Festival will be held at the Holy Ghost Grounds (2 Allen’s Neck Rd, South Dartmouth, MA 02748).

The Gratitude Harvest Festival is an all-ages event, featuring a wide variety of musical performances, local food, art exhibits, and recreational activities. The festival is a benefit for the regional non-profit, Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP). 50% of proceeds from Gratitude Harvest Festival will be donated to SEMAP, which has been dedicated to preserving and expanding access to local food and sustainable farming in the South Coast. Through research, campaigns, and education, SEMAP promotes local farmers’ markets in the South Coast region, works with public schools to bring healthy food to students, and supports local farmers, restaurants, and local food vendors.

Gratitude Harvest Festival Highlights:

• Live music on four stages, featuring the best in regional and national talent, with everything from Folk and Blue Grass, to Soul and Funk, through Rock, Hip-Hop, and Electronic Dance Music
• A Local Food Bazaar presenting farm-to-table food tastings by the area’s finest local chefs
• Live dance performances and art installations
• Speakers and educators presenting on a variety of sustainability and wellness topics
• Overnight camping on the pristine grounds of Round the Bend Farm
• Yoga, Rock Climbing, Bouncy Houses, A Beach Bus, Birding, Farm Tours and many more fun family-friendly activities!
• Musical performances by: Dumpstaphunk, The Nth Power, Jennifer Hartswick, Lifted Crew, Rebecca Correia, Putnam Murdock, Richard James, Dynasty Electric, Tem Blessed, BassWave, and many more!

Please join us for a celebration of all that makes the Southcoast beautiful, fun, appetizing and sustainable! There is something for everyone here as the Gratitude Harvest Festival appeals to all music and art lovers, foodies, campers, thrill-seekers and community supporters.

Tickets are $40 per person. Children 12 and under are free. Please visit www.gratitudeharvestfestival.com to purchase your tickets securely online. Find us on Facebook, for updates and additions to our line-up.

The 2013 Thursdays in the Park Concert Series continues its weekly summer series with a performance of folk punk shanty music by Sharks Come Cruisin’. The free concert takes place Thursday, August 29 from 6:30-7:15 in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park garden (33 William Street). In the event of inclement weather, the performance will be moved indoors. The Thursday Evenings in the Park concerts take place each week during the summer, with the last concert taking place on August 29.

Sharks Come Cruisin’ plays an energetic mix of original and traditional sing-along songs, keeping the themes of audience participation and celebration at the center of their music and live performances. SCC has played several festivals up and down the East Coast, from Florida to Maine. They have played with the Dropkick Murphys, The Loved Ones (Fat Wreck Chords), and Lemuria (Bridge Nine Records). They have been compared to Flogging Molly, The Pogues, and Against Me! and have been described as sea shanty punk, Irish punk, and folk punk.

Fort Taber~Fort Rodman Historical Association, Inc. (FTFRHA) will host the Second Annual Autumn Revelry on Saturday, October 12. The fundraiser will benefit FTFRHA and the Fort Taber-Fort Rodman Military Museum.

The annual event will feature a buffet dinner catered by M&C Café and will include a fall salad, chicken with Madeira sauce, garlic mashed potatoes, a fall vegetable and rolls. The dinner will take place at the Fort Taber Park Community Center with dinner seatings available at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., or 7 p.m.

The Fort Taber ~Fort Rodman Military Museum will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. that evening offering dinner guests tours of the museum, musical entertainment and a silent auction. Dinner guests are invited to visit the museum before and after their meal to enjoy lite hors d’oeuves, cup cakes provided by Emma Jeans Cupcake & Ice Cream Shoppe, and coffee and tea. A cash bar provided by Freitas Package Store will also be available to guests at the Community Center and at the Military Museum.

“We are very excited to announce the date for the Second Annual Autumn Revelry, an event that showcases the Military Museum and beautiful Fort Taber Park,” said Joe Langlois, President of Fort Taber~Fort Rodman Historical Association. “We invite the community to join us for an evening of great food, good conversation and camaraderie as we celebrate the military history of New Bedford and the South Coast region.”

Tickets for the event are $20 per person and are purchased by dinner seating time. Tickets are available at the Fort Taber ~Fort Rodman Military Museum, 1000c South Rodney French Boulevard in New Bedford, by calling 508-994-3938, or online at http://forttaber.org/autumn-revelry/. Reservations are strongly recommended to ensure seating availability.

Teams of students who participated in the 2013 Mayors Learn and Serve Summer Youth Program will present their completed summer projects to the public on Monday, August 26th at 5:30 p.m. at the New Bedford Art Museum.

The Mayor’s Learn and Serve Program is a summer project-based learning and community service program for 14-15-year old New Bedford residents. The program engaged five teams of approximately ten teens in meaningful, real-world projects that build basic work skills such as teamwork and collaboration, task management, goal-setting, and responsibility; encourage leadership development; allow for deep engagement in a particular content area; and foster an ethic of civic engagement and community service.

One group of students studied marine biology and created a large ceramic fish mural and other groups participated in programs to promote healthy living and eating. Another group developed a marketing and tourism campaign geared at families with kids who visit New Bedford.

The program allowed the teens to explore a diverse array of skills such as visual art, science, basic research, marketing, design, program development, and subject areas such as fishing, farming and food, healthy lifestyles and environments, tourism, downtown, and more. Youth who successfully complete the summer program will receive a $300 stipend.

The weekend outlook, will be relatively cooler than what we’ve been experiencing. Friday will start out partly cloudy, with only a 20% chance of rain, but be 83 degrees. Saturday and Sunday will both be slightly cooler with no rain. Great weekend for planning activities!

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 23rd

FREE Fun Fridays: FREE Whaling Museum Admission (9:00 am-5:00 pm)
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. This means that all day today you can explore the New Bedford Whaling Museum for free!

Follow the Fish Paddle on the Weweantic River (Wareham, MA) (9:00 am-12:00 pm)
Join the Buzzards Bay Coalition and Osprey Sea Kayak as they paddle up the Weweantic River as it transitions from salty water to fresh. They will stop at the Weweantic River Reserve and learn about this unique spot on the Bay’s largest tributary. The cost is $30 for Buzzards Bay Coalition members and $40 for the general public.

If you do not have a kayak, you can rent one from Osprey Sea Kayak for $15. They will meet at the rest stop on 195 East in Wareham. Registration is required. For more information or to RSVP, contact Alicia Pimental at 508-999-6363 x226 or pimental@savebuzzardsbay.org.

1st Annual “18 Holes for a Cause” (11:45 am)
Want to hit the greens and help out a great cause? The Allendale Country Club will be host the 1st Annual “18 Holes for a Cause” event. There will be a Hole in One Challenge, Closest to the Pin, and Putting Contest. Prizes will be awarded for the first 3 placings. Bring your a-game!

Westport Rivers Sunset Music Concert Series: Arc Iris (6:00 pm-8:00 pm)
Westport Rivers Sunset Music Concert Series to take place at Westport Rivers Vineyard and Winery. Admission is $10 per carload and beer, wine and SoCo local food will be served for a fee. No alcohol may be brought into the event. Bring blanket, chairs, bug spray, glasses and a cork screw. (508) 636-3423.

Saturday, August 24th

Westport Farmers’ Market & Crafts Fair (8:30 am – 1:00 pm)
Weekly farmers’ market providing fresh produce from local farms. The market is held rain or shine. Inside the grange building there will be craft vendors and the cafe will be open serving up goodies. Hope to see you there!

Day of Bluegrass in Tihonet Village (Wareham) (11:00 am – 7:00 pm)
Enjoy the sweet sounds of Bluegrass along the shores of Tihonet Pond at Tihonet Village, 146 Tihonet Road (rain or shine) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with Crab Grass, followed by Changing Strings and ending with Four Bridges.

After that there will be an open picking session from 4 – 7 p.m. Food will be available onsite, and don’t miss your chance listen to the tunes while cruising around Tihonet Pond in a duck or swan paddle boat! Advance tickets $8, $10 at the door, under 7 free. Additional fees apply for some activities. Click the title for more info on the acts.

8th Annual “Barn Bash” (Dartmouth, MA) (6:00 pm – 10:30 pm)
The annual Barn Bash is back! Square Dancing, catering by Morton’s Fork, full open bar, auctions, dinner, arts, activities, and live music by “Three Cats and A Dog.” All proceeds support DNRT. Full program here.

10th Anniversary Robby Thatcher Memorial Fundraiser w/ Craig DeMello & Bob’s Day Off (4:00 pm – 10:30 pm)
Robby Thatcher was an athlete, a poet, a surfer and a musician. He grew up in Fairhaven, Massachusetts and attended Fairhaven public schools until his junior year. Robby was diagnosed with leukemia. He underwent chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant and enjoyed 13 months of remission before the leukemia came back.Robby relapsed. His second series of treatments were too much for his body to handle. Robby lost his battle with cancer on November 28, 2003.

The Robby Thatcher Memorial Fund, Inc will support families affected by catastrophic illnesses. The fund will give emotional and financial support to families facing undue hardship. The fund will give Scholarships and Poetry Awards annually to high school students in the Greater New Bedford Area. Takes place at the Seaport Inn.

Opium Fest featuring Weld Square (12:00 pm – 10:30 pm)
Weld Square is a rock trio from New Bedford, MA that describes their music as “…Dirty..dirty..Rock ‘N’ Roll.” The group consists of Joe Froias on vocals and guitar, Kev Patrick Nunes on bass, and Derek Brasseur on drums. In 2012, they released an EP called Femme de Maison. They will be playing at the Opium Fest that takes place at Knuckleheads Bar & Grill. The fest starts at noon and Weld Squares set begins at 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, August 25th

Shenanigans Reunion Benefit (12:00 pm)
Head to Knucklehead’s Bar & Grill for the Shenanigans Reunion to benefit the Dana Farber Institute featuring Damaged Goods, Murphy’s Law, Crabby Appleton, React, Ageless and Likk. Of course, great specials, your favorite bartenders and knuckleheads will be there.

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

Two major television networks are scheduled to air shows this week featuring New Bedford, Massachusetts. The City will be highlighted in an episode of two television series airing on New England Sports Network (NESN) and Spike TV. NESN is viewed in all six New England states and is available nationally through satellite providers. Spike TV is seen in over 99 million homes nationwide. Mayor Jon Mitchell said, “It is great for New Bedford to get this type of national attention. The City has a lot to offer as a destination and this coverage helps get the word out.”

On Thursday, August 22, 2013 at 7:00 p.m., the Port of New Bedford will be featured on New England Boating TV. Broadcast by NESN, New England Boating TV is a recreational boating-based television series that explores ports, harbors, bays, and lakes throughout the New England region. The show serves as a recreational boaters’ guide, providing viewers with useful information and introducing them to destination ports.

Spike TV will air an episode of Bar Rescue filmed at New Bedford’s very own Libad’s Seaside Tavern located at 578 Brock Avenue. In April, Libad’s co-owner Dave DeMelo was surprised by the cast and crew of Bar Rescue. Over the course of several days, the Bar Rescue team renovated and revitalized the longstanding bar and grille while documenting the complete transformation on film. Bar Rescue’s episode featuring Libad’s Seaside Tavern will air on Sunday, August 25, 2013 at 9:00 p.m.

The 2013 Thursdays in the Park Concert Series continues its weekly summer series with a performance of French Canadian fiddle music by Daniel Boucher and Friends. The free concert takes place Thursday, August 22 from 6:30-7:15 in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park garden (33 William Street). In the event of inclement weather, the performance will be moved indoors. The Thursday Evenings in the Park concerts take place each week during the summer, with the last concert taking place on August 29.

Daniel Boucher, first Generation Franco-American, fiddler, singer, and traditional-style composer has revitalized French Canadian folk music in Connecticut by organizing very popular soirées, dance parties, and seasonal celebrations including his annual Maple Sugar Party. Boucher grew up in a French-Canadian family that settled in Bristol and developed a passion for the musical traditions of Québec and New England, absorbing fiddle tunes and songs from his family and community and apprenticing to master musicians. Daniel is joined by friends who share the passion of their culture with a comedic approach to connecting with their audiences.

A program aimed at parents of children ages 2 through 12 is the first in the state to use text messaging to provide tips about healthy food and drinks, exercise and proper rest. Sponsored by Mass in Motion Kids, a program by Mass in Motion New Bedford and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the “How to Grow Healthy Kids” campaign launches in August with billboards, transit ads, and flyers.

Appearing in both English and Spanish, the ads invite parents to join a free service by texting a special number (877-877). After joining, parents will get tips about healthy food and drinks, exercise and sleep. Parents will also receive weekly texts about promotions at local grocery stores for items such as fruit, vegetables, and beverages without sugar. If you are a parent of kids ages 2-12 and want to join, text “SNACK” to 877-877 for messages in English and “BOCADOS” for messages in Spanish. Data and message rates may apply.

“Parents of young kids are busy people,” said Kim Ferreira, Mass in Motion New Bedford Coordinator. “They appreciate getting useful information about their children at their fingertips. This texting campaign is a simple and accessible way to remind parents of the many great ways they can help their children grow up healthy.”

Mayor Jon Mitchell lent his support to the campaign, saying “We all win when parents have the tools to make informed decisions about their children’s health. And it’s not just about better health outcomes; research shows healthy, active kids make better students and are more engaged in their community.”

The advertising campaign is scheduled to run through October, but the text messages to parents will continue eight weeks after they join. Visit http://massinmotionnewbedford.org/ for more information on Mass in Motion Kids in New Bedford.

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. 

This Thursday evening, August 15, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park offers an entire lineup of entertainment. From 5:00-5:30 PM, Ruth and Abby, the park’s 1850s ladies, will chat about New Bedford’s connections with Hawaii’s traditional healing methods. From 5:30-6:30 PM, hear historian George Ripley talk about New Bedford’s Civil War Stone Fleet. Enjoy music of Central America in the park garden from 6:30-7:15 PM.

These events, like all of this national park’s events, are free of charge. In case of rain, the event will be moved to the 2nd floor of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park’s Corson Building, 33 William Street, downtown New Bedford. Ruth and Abby have received a packet from young Charlie (Ruth’s son) with drawings of plants used in traditional Hawaiian healing.

They will share their news with you from 5:00-5:30 PM in preparation for a visit next month (AHA! night, September 12) with Dr. Ben Tamura, medical officer with Hokulea. The Hokulea, a native people of Hawai’i, have embarked on a seven-year journey in traditional canoes around the world to reacquaint themselves with the traditional ways of navigation and to seek ways to restore the collective soul of the people. “A Voyage to Health” is currently on display in the National Park visitor center through August 24, 2013, and is free and open to the public.

Historian and librarian George Ripley will speak from 5:30-6:30 PM as part of the “New B Under the Sea” series, a campaign focusing on underwater archaeology projects. Mr. Ripley will present “The Stone Fleet”, on the New Bedford whale fleet used to blockade the Confederacy during the Civil War. The Stone Fleet consisted of a fleet of aging ships (mostly whaleships purchased in New Bedford and other New England ports,) loaded with stone, and sailed south during the American Civil War by the Union Navy for use as blockade ships.