New Bedford’s long-running tradition of honoring its commercial scallop fishery will take center stage once again on August 14 during “Scallopalooza,” a new community event organized by the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center (FHC).

Scheduled from 5-8 p.m. during the city’s August AHA! Night, Scallopalooza will host a shucking contest featuring 15 local scallopers. The competition is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. in the center’s parking lot on Bethel Street, which will close to traffic at 1 p.m. that day for vendor and stage setup.

While the shucking contest is the main draw, the event will also showcase the broader culture and industry that surrounds the region’s scallop fishery, FHC said in a press release. Attendees can expect live music, food vendors, and educational demonstrations and exhibits that highlight the city’s working waterfront. The indie rock band Immuter will kick off the evening with a set at 5 p.m., followed by an artist talk with Michael Medeiros at 5:30 p.m. and a scallop dredge link squeezing demo by Blue Fleet Welding at 6 p.m.

Local vendors with ties to the commercial fishing community will be on hand, including the Fisheries Survival Fund, Fishing Partnership Support Services, the School for Marine Science and Technology, and several craftspeople and marine-related nonprofits.

The event is free and open to the public. In case of rain, a backup date will be announced.

Scallopalooza is sponsored by the Sustainable Scalloping Fund with support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and more than 65 scallop vessels and fishing companies from the New Bedford and Fairhaven fleets. A complete list of supporters is available at the Fishing Heritage Center’s website.

Scallopalooza also coincides with the center’s new exhibit Ceremonies & Celebrations, which highlights the city’s maritime traditions, including past festivals and memorial services connected to the fishing industry. More on the exhibit is available at fishingheritagecenter.org.