Harbor Days celebration features food, fun and festivities
Shipyard Park was again transformed into a hub of activity this weekend as visitors and locals celebrated the 34th annual Harbor Days.
The Mattapoisett Lions Club hosts the festival, which features concerts, vendors and plenty of food.
More than 100 craftsmen showcased their wares in the park.
The two-day craft fair attracted vendors from across the state, including longtime attendees and first timers.
Claire Berry, age 12, set up a table next to the Town Wharf General Store where she sold “Mattapoisett in a Jar.”
A Mattapoisett resident, she had different sizes of jars filled with sand, rocks and ocean water collected from local shores for sale.
“I call them sea globes instead of snow globes,” she said. When shook, the sand catches light and glitters inside the jar.
The young entrepreneur arrived with 96 jars and sold 30 by about 2 p.m. She came prepared with a box labeled “important papers” that held all of the financial information.
Claire wasn’t all business though. She also accepted donations for the “I Will for Cancer” foundation and will donate some of her income to the nonprofit.
“I probably have more money in the donation jar than I do in here,” Claire said, referring to the envelope where her profits were stored.
Another first time vendor, Adam Salisbury, arrived with birdhouses and other items built entirely out of old license plates and other found objects.
A Pawtucket, Rhode Island resident, Salisbury searches scrapyards for the license plates. He started the craft three years ago.
“Ever since I was a kid I’ve been building things,” he said. “I figured it was time to show people what I can do.”
In addition to the craft fair, several children’s events were scheduled this year.
In the afternoon, the Toe Jam Puppet Band took to the stage in the gazebo and put on a kid-friendly concert.
At the Mattapoisett Library, Grampy’s Train Rides departed every 10 minutes giving kids a ride throughout the village and wharf.
Joe Guard restored a train engine and cars that had once hauled children through New Bedford’s Buttonwood Park.
Saturday also featured an event that attracted young and old.
Officers from the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department K9 unit demonstrated the role dogs play in law enforcement.
Deputies Kevin Ardini and Dennis Desroches arrived with three dogs: Bodo, Cedar and Trixie.
The canines, all German Sheperds, are used to patrol, search for narcotics and track and apprehend fugitives, Desroches explained.
He said Cedar, who is 9 years old, will retire soon and Trixie is being trained to take his place in the department. Both live with Desroches and his family.
In the evening, the Dave Charnley Band performed and Lions Club members served up meals for the annual Lobsterfest.
All proceeds from Harbor Days support the Lions Club’s charities and projects in town and abroad.


