New Bedford Kids Weekend Carnival Replaces Long-Running Festival This Weekend

The Whaling City Festival has been significantly downsized, and is now going by a different name.

The New Bedford Police Union stepped in to sponsor what is now the New Bedford Kids Weekend Carnival after the Whaling City Festival Committee was unable to attract enough vendors due to a lack of planning time.

Speaking on the "Mid-Day Magazine", Whaling City Festival president Allen Richard says while he's disappointed the festival isn't back in full scale, he's glad the carnival is taking place.

The City Council had approved a 9pm closing time for the festival, but the Park Board didn't approve the change until April, leaving only a few months for the Whaling City Festival to be organized.

The New Bedford Kids Weekend Carnival will feature many of the same food vendors and Fanelli Amusements carnival rides area residents are familiar with. The carnival at Buttonwood Park runs from noon to 9pm Friday and Saturday, and noon to 8pm on Sunday.