The Working Waterfront Festival, which was created by folklorist Laura Orleans, has become the flagship event interpreting and celebrating the region"s commercial fishing industry. This annual event provides a unique opportunity for the commercial fishing community to tell its own story in an engaging public forum. Bringing together of a cross-section of the commercial fishing community, the event features those who are currently working in the industry as well as old-timers who have not been down to the docks in years. The festival showcases the occupational and artistic skills of a wide range of tradition bearers including fishermen, fish processors, cooks, boat builders, Coast Guard rescuers, musicians, and net makers . It presents the rich culture of this community to visitors through innovative and dynamic programming which invites participation and dialogue.