"A WHALE of a Time to Bid"

"A WHALE of a Time to Bid" marks the return of the famous WHALE Auction, this year as part of the Johnny Cake Hill Wine Festival. Interesting items from original art work and sculpture, to museum passes, overnight stays, antiques and vintage threads and more will be up for grabs in this online/live auction.  The auction will be online from 8:00 AM September 21 through 5:00 pm October 4.

The auction will then go live as part of the Johnny Cake Hill Wine Festival on October 5 in downtown New Bedford. The highest online bid becomes the opening bid for In-person silent auction bidding that begins at 12:00 noon (for VIP ticket holders, general admission at 1:00) and concludes at 4:30 pm. To participate in the in-person portion of the auction you must have a ticket to the festival.

100% of auction s to directly to funding WHALE's programs and operations, helping preserve, restore and revitalize historic places and spaces in our city.  Your bids help bring our mission to life!

For tickets to the Johnny Cake Hill Wine Festival click here. 

WHALE (the Waterfront Historic Area League) was established in 1962, when urban renewal threatened entire neighborhoods in the city of New Bedford. 

Over the past 63 years we have carried out our mission of fostering historic preservation and continued use of the city’s architectural heritage to enhance community and economic vitality in New Bedford. We achieve this through advocacy, education and bricks and mortar projects. 

With over 70 preservation projects we have demonstrated how restoration, renovation and revitalization of historic buildings and spaces can benefit a community in many ways.  From providing housing, to arts and cultural spaces and stabilizing neighborhoods and providing resources and information to the community, WHALE continues to make a positive impact on the city of New Bedford.  

As a non-profit and community development corporation, all of our programs, projects and operations are funded by grants, donations events and membership. 

"A WHALE of a Time to Bid" goes LIVE on Sunday, October 5 at the Johnny Cake Hill Wine Festival! From 12 noon* until 4:30, attendees can bid on their favorite auction items while enjoying 80+ wines, food tastings, music and a festive fall afternoon in historic downtown New Bedford! To participate in the in-person auction on October 5, you must have a ticket to the festival. To purchase tickets, click here. 

At the conclusion of the in-person auction, winners will be contacted with payment options and to coordinate pick up of the item. You do not need to be present to win your item.  We'll follow up! There will be options for people to pay and take their item home immediately after the auction ends if they so choose.