Introducing the Scallopalooza festival in Massachusetts’ ‘scallop capital of the world’ : NPR

Scott Simon, host:

New Bedford, Massachusetts, is called the world capital of scallops and Thursday, the city celebrated Scallopalooza. It is an event close to the city’s seafront that celebrates the Atlantic Sea scallop and the people working on boats. Caroline Losneck has this audio postcard.

Unidentified advertiser # 1: So, while we are organizing for our plot base, which is …

Caroline Losneck: Like most festivals, Scallopalooza’s pleasure, but scallops are serious business here. They are at the heart of the identity and culture of the city. The highlight is a noisy shucking competition where more than a dozen local templates clash in heat, all on a scene, to see who can remove the meat from the cleanest and fastest shell. And the spectators in the front rows probably get pieces of scallop as a memory.

Joe Ritter: We certainly hope that people will have a good time at this event.

Losneck: Joe Ritter works at the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center and helped organize Scallopalooza.

Ritter: And the best fisherman of each round will go up in the final, and they will compete for the title of Best Shucker in New Bedford. They will get a trophy, and they will also obtain brainy rights.

Losneck: The impact of the species here is massive. About 80% of seafood per value arriving on the quays are scallops.

Ritter: I would say that the scallops are in New Bedford like corn and soy are in Illinois or Indiana.

Losneck: Ritter says that the idea is to highlight people who do the work behind everything – something that generally happens at sea, not on dry land.

Predictions that could earn?

Ritter: There is a lot of steep competition here, and many young people here. So many young guns seek to prove their value.

Unidentified advertiser # 2: Knife up, back, right? Everyone remembers that – Kunty Up and backs up. Mimes – Are you ready, timer?

Losneck: A good knife is the key to the shelter. It is a steel blade with a rubber handle that stops the meat. It is generally wrapped in adhesive tape. And when it is wet, it becomes adhesive and sticks to your hand.

Unidentified advertiser # 2: three, two, one, shuck.

(Applause)

Losneck: The industry is not without challenges. Scientists say that climate change, global warming and acidification of oceans have an impact on scallops. But all of this is left out. There is even a stand to put on a tiara – a jewelry wreath – and feel like a queen of scallops. Elmer Barrientos, twenty-five, is a local ditch. He is there to encourage his friends. He says that whale hunting was once the key here.

Elmer Barrientos: I mean, if you see tradition, we were whalers – now scallop. You say Scallop, people think of New Bedford.

Losneck: Barrientos says he is proud of his work. There is also a good diet.

Barrientos: I mean, you can eat it with butter. I mean, there are many ways. I like raw. You have just opened it and (imitates swallowing). This is the best way.

Losneck: The local bryan Despres ditch won the competition.

Unidentified advertiser # 2: The scallopalooza 2025 champion of the scratch of scallops – Bryan de la F / V Lady Dee. And here is your trophy. Hold it up.

Unidentified person: woo.

Bryan Despres: This is the last chance for us. It’s for New Bedford.

(Applause)

Unidentified advertiser # 2: Way to follow. Could not do it better.

Losneck: But Despres says he never imagined that he could be a festoon. It is because, unlike many people here, he had no family tradition in the industry. But for him, the flaw is much more than glory.

Despres: But in fact, I grew up in a reception house in New Bedford. And I had the opportunity to fish. You know, it changes their life for people.

Losneck: And with his trophy in hand, Despres is now part of the rich culture of New Bedford flaw.

For NPR News, I am Caroline Losneck in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

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