New Bedford Whaling Museum Hosts the Most New Bedford Event in the History of New Bedford

Over the weekend, the New Bedford Whaling Museum hosted its 29th Annual Moby-Dick Marathon. It kicked off Saturday at noon and wrapped up with incredible punctuality at 1 p.m. sharp.

For 25 hours straight, a lengthy list of dedicated Melville fans read the book aloud from a podium set up at the Whaling Museum (and Seamen's Bethel). The audience was its biggest ever for the event, with 2,300 attendees over the weekend hailing from 37 different states.

I was lucky enough to be one of the invited readers and landed a prime spot in the book. I had the honor of reading the thrilling conclusion, where Ahab confronts his obsession: the great white whale.

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I was struck by how engaged the audience was, even after all those hours of sitting and following along with their copies of Melville's book. I would read the lines, and the audience would burst into laughter at some of the tongue-in-cheek humor woven into Melville's masterpiece.

The event concluded on the museum's Harbor View level, overlooking the very harbor where Melville boarded a whaling ship in 1841 to gain the experience that inspired his novel.

Next year will mark the event's milestone 30th year. It is scheduled to kick off on January 3, which will also mark 185 years since Melville set sail from New Bedford Harbor.

READ MORE: New Bedford Melville Statue Design Unveiled

Participating in the Moby-Dick Marathon was a profound experience and a true celebration of New Bedford's cultural scene. Whether you're a seasoned participant or a curious newcomer, this event offers an unparalleled experience that encapsulates the spirit of the SouthCoast community. Dare I say, the Moby-Dick Marathon is the most quintessentially New Bedford event one can be a part of in the city. I'm honored to have participated for the past two years.