Working Waterfront Festival Honors Fishing History

A big attraction this weekend at the Working Waterfront Festival is the eastern rigged trawler, Roann.  Its the type of wood-hulled fishing boat that was used from the 1920's to the 1970's in waters off New England. 

Folks like fisherman and boatowner Rodney Avila of Dartmouth loved getting onboard....

 Wooden-hulled vessels like the Roann were replaced in the 70's and 80's by steel-hulled boats primarily. The Roann is now the property of the Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic, Connecticut. 

The Working Waterfront Festival welcomed thousands of visitors this weekend.  They toured fishing boats, enjoyed industry competitions, cooking demonstrations and a tugboat muster.

. The Festival also included the Blessing of the Fleet from the deck of the Ernestina.