“Explore New Bedford, the City’s marketing and tourism department, is partnering with Moby Dick Brewing Co. to launch “Visionary Voices: Lighting the Way,” a new promotional campaign aimed at connecting visitors with New Bedford’s rich history, art, and culture.
“Visionary Voices: Lighting the Way” will share the less-heralded stories, firsts, and revolutionary people, both past and present, whose brave and bold acts have shaped the history and culture of New Bedford. The campaign – funded by the Mass. Office of Travel and Tourism as part of the statewide celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War – connects the past to the present by showcasing how visitors can experience these stories through museum exhibits, public art, cultural events and festivals, and boat-to-table dining in the nation’s top fishing port.
City of New Bedford photo.
To celebrate the campaign’s launch, the City has partnered with Moby Dick Brewing on the debut of a new beer. “Visionary Voices” is brewed using corn, molasses, and malted barley as hops, a main ingredient in today’s beer, was not prevalent in the late 1700s. Brewer Scott Brunelle developed the beer based on one of Benjamin Franklin’s recipes. It is available on cask at Moby Dick Brewing Co. on the corner of Water and Union streets in the Historic District. Brunelle notes that it pairs well with a variety of food, including steaks, burgers, and pasta.
“The story of New Bedford includes national figures like Melville and Douglass, but many others whose deeds have left a lasting imprint on the City, and whose own stories are sure to fascinate,” Mayor Jon Mitchell said. “They are yet another reason to immerse oneself in New Bedford’s history and culture.”
In developing the campaign, Explore New Bedford Director Ashley Payne and Marketing Manager Amy DesRosiers focused on creating a brand and marketing elements that can be used for promoting the City for years beyond the state’s and country’s 250th anniversary commemorations. As such, the landing page for the campaign will continue to be updated with stories, experiences, and resources for learning about the City’s history.
“We are thrilled to partner with Moby Dick Brewing Co. to kick off the launch of this ongoing campaign that we have been researching, designing, and developing in collaboration with our arts and culture partners,” Payne said. “There is a market for brewery tourism and we saw a perfect fit for this campaign with Moby Dick Brewing Co.’s brand and tagline: ‘We’re brewing history.’ The fact that Scott was able to recreate a beer based on Benjamin Franklin’s recipe is an added bonus.”
“We are pleased and thankful to be entering our eighth year at the corner of Union and Water, a vibrant spot at the bottom of Union Street, the gateway to Downtown New Bedford,” said David Slutz, co-founder of Moby Dick Brewing Co.
View the campaign at www.ExploreNewBedford.org/Visionary-Voices/. Behind-the-scenes brewery tours led by Brunelle will be available from 4-7 p.m. at Moby Dick Brewing Co. during AHA! Night on Thursday, April 10.”-City of New Bedford.