photo by Phil Mello

From NPR Weekend Edition Saturday
By Caroline Losneck
Originally published: August 16, 2025

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — This coastal city calls itself the “Scallop Capital of the World” and last week celebrated with an inaugural Scallopalooza, a night festival and event organized by the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center.

The event took place not far from the city’s waterfront and celebrated the Atlantic sea scallop — and the people who work on the boats.

“What I tell people is, if you like seafood, if you want to know how your seafood gets [from] the boat to table, that process from the Atlantic Ocean to your table, at your favorite seafood restaurant …you have a stake in the story we’re telling here. If you want to know about people and families and the evolutions of communities, this story matters to you too,” said Joe Ritter, programs manager at the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, which organized the celebration.

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