Activities
Fun activities like Gyotaku, Scrimshaw, Whale Origami, and the “almost famous” Abalone Races that will be featured on both April 13th and 14th on Old Fisherman’s Wharf. Local historian Tim Thomas will once again conduct his very informative historical Wharf Walks.
Wharf History Walks with Historian Tim Thomas
When: 11:00 & 12:30 Saturday & Sunday
Where: Meet at Harbor House
“World Famous” Abalone Races
When: 11:30 & 1:30 Saturday & Sunday
Where: In front of Rockfish Harbor Grill
Arts & Crafts: Gyotaku, Whale Origami, Scrimshaw
When: 12:00 - 3:00 Saturday & Sunday
Where: In front of Abalonetti
Calamari Cooking Demonstration with Award-Winning Chef Tene Shake
When: 2:30 Saturday & Sunday
Where: In front of Kokomo’s
Beach & Street Clean-Up
When: 11:00 - 1:00 Sunday only
Where: Meet at Marine Life Studies Booth
Scrimshaw is a form of Portuguese and Basque sailor’s art that dates to the very early part of the 19 th century. Created by sailors serving aboard whaling ships, they would carve scenes, usually of their life at sea, onto whale teeth, whale bone and walrus tusks. Often these intricately carved pieces would be gifted to the sailor’s sweetheart or wife upon returning from a long voyage at sea. Whaling was a way of life in Monterey. The streets were paved with whale bones. We are honoring our Portuguese and Basque whalers' history with this activity.
Gyotaku was a way for Japanese fishermen to remember their catch. This art form dates to the mid-19th century before everyone had a camera. It was really used to document “trophy catches” or anything big or unusual. After printing the fish, the fisherman would wash off the ink so it would be presentable to sell at the market. These early fish prints were not considered to be an art form but rather as a way to record their catch. Prior to World War II, most of the businesses on Fisherman's Wharf were owned by Japanese. We are honoring our Japanese history with this activity.
No one is exactly sure, but it is believed that the art of origami was invented by the Japanese over a thousand years ago and is an art form as old as paper itself! There are different styles of origami, ceremonial, girei (formal folded ornaments) and recreational. Perhaps the most famous use of origami was told in the classic book, “Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes” by Eleanor Coerr. The Monterey Japanese community first arrived before the turn of the 20th century, and it was fishing that brought them here, abalone and salmon. It can be said that abalone built the Monterey Wharf, prior to WWII, most of the business on the Wharf were owned and operated by Japanese, fish markets and abalone processors.
A special calamari cooking demo by award-winning Chef Tene Shake, sponsored by Del Mar Seafoods will be held on both April 13 and 14, 2024, at 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm in front of Kokomo’s/Grotto Fish Market on the Wharf. Tene will be preparing calamari three different ways and will provide a recipe for all attendees. He will prepare a Cold Marinated Calamari, Calamari Scampi and Calamari Diablo, a spicy calamari.
Join Monterey Fisheries Historian Tim Thomas on a free walking tour of the Monterey Waterfront/Wharf neighborhood. This easy and casual tour looks at the diverse cultural histories of the Monterey Waterfront and how it all came together to make Monterey Bay the majestic place it is today.
Tim Thomas, fourth-generation native of the Monterey area, is a fisheries historian who has researched the fisheries of Monterey Bay for over thirty-five years. He has researched, written, and lectured extensively on Monterey’s fishing communities and for sixteen years was the Historian/Curator for the Monterey Maritime Museum. Tim is the co-author of Monterey’s Waterfront, published in 2006, author of the Japanese on the Monterey Peninsula, published in 2010 and author of The Abalone King of Monterey: “Pop” Ernest Doelter, Pioneering Japanese Fishermen & The Culinary Classic that Saved an Industry, published in 2014 and Abalone Diving along the California Coast, published in 2023. He is Project Director and Editor of the J.B. Phillips Historical Fisheries Report. A project that produces lectures, symposia and a publication that focus on the history, science and the people who fished and worked Monterey Bay. Tim has been an historical consultant for the Monterey Bay Aquarium and has worked and developed programs for Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and California State Parks. Tim has been featured on PBS, BBC and on C-span. He is also on the board of directors of the Monterey Japanese American Citizens League and curator of Japanese American Heritage Center. He has traveled and lectured extensively on the Monterey Japanese community both here and in Japan. Tim currently serves as chair of the Museums and Cultural Arts Commission for the City of Monterey. Tim was a recipient of the 2023 Ed Ricketts Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement in Historical Ecology given by the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Tour Join Monterey Fisheries Historian Tim Thomas on a free walking tour of the Monterey Waterfront/Wharf neighborhood. This easy and casual tour looks at the diverse cultural histories of the Monterey Waterfront and how it all came together to make Monterey Bay the majestic place it is today.
Bonus: Whale Watching
Whale watchers come from around the world to view hundreds of whales, orcas, dolphins and pelicans who come to feast on a “krill and anchovy buffet” in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Throughout the year, this Whale Watching Capital of the World offers sightings of 15 species of whales, 10 species of dolphins, 2 species of porpoise, 6 species of pinnipeds and 1 species of Fissiped (sea otter). Whale watching trips are available (for a fee), weather permitting, from four whale watching organizations on the Wharf.
2024 Schedule Updates
New this year: The Symposium with marine research and environment conscious experts will move to the Stanton Center only on Sunday, April 14th.
We welcome Dan Haifley from the Board of Directors for the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Foundation and former Director of the Sea Odyssey of Santa Cruz as our MC for the Symposium.
Interactive marine-themed exhibits will be available only on Saturday, April 13th. Live music and activities like Gyotaku, Scrimshaw, and the “almost famous” Abalone Races will be featured on both April 13th and 14th on Old Fisherman’s Wharf.
According to Mary Alice Cerrito Fettis, Director of Whalefest Monterey,
“We are excited to provide attendees with the opportunity to delve into all the exhibits on Saturday and subsequently engage in the Symposium on Sunday this year!…
This ensures that participants can experience the full spectrum of the event, all while enjoying the exceptional live music by local musicians and participating in special activities on both days.”
Whalefest Monterey isn’t just an event; it’s an immersive experience for families. Dive into a sea of knowledge with educational activities catering to all ages.
Enjoy the fun array of live music and dance. Explore marine-related interactive exhibits presented by both local and national organizations.
Take an up-close look at research and rescue boats, open for public tours, creating an engaging atmosphere for all attendees for both days. Learn cutting-edge information from a variety of marine experts.
Check out prior Symposium presentations on the Whalefest YouTube channel.