A large floating white whale that has been an emblem and mainstay of HarborFest for many years was the object of political vandalism overnight between Sunday and Monday, in the wake of Sag Harbor's weekend-long community celebration.
On Monday morning, the Sag Harbor Chamber of Commerce shared a photo on Facebook of the whale — which is used during the annual whaleboat races — with the words "TRUMP MAGA" spray-painted in black letters across its front. The picture was taken by Jeff Peters at around 6 on Monday morning, according to the chamber's president, Ellen Dioguardi.
Shortly after, Ms. Dioguardi filed a report with the Sag Harbor Village Police Department, which told the chamber of commerce that it will review surveillance footage from nearby. When more information is available, the police plan to reach out, Ms. Dioguardi said.
The whale was still afloat in the harbor, not far from Long Wharf, when it was vandalized in the darkness.
This was not the first time the whale had been the target of political vandalism. In 2022, someone similarly spray-painted "TRUMP" on the smiling leviathan. That time, police were unable to catch the person responsible.
On Monday, Ms. Dioguardi said, she initially thought the photograph she was shown was simply an edited version of a 2022 image.
"When they can't do something, they can't do something," Ms. Dioguardi said of police efforts to identify the culprit. "And they may once again just be thwarted in trying to help us find out who is being this un-community-minded, as well as a vandal."
This latest indignity to the whale comes soon after its restoration in preparation for this year's HarborFest. Thanks to a new foam insulation, the whale was floating better than it had in the past few years, Ms. Dioguardi said, before describing it as "part of HarborFest's history."
The whale was repaired quickly. On Monday morning, the graffiti was painted over.
If Sag Harbor police can catch the person responsible, Ms. Dioguardi said, the chamber intends to see the case prosecuted. HarborFest is a celebration of community and of love for Sag Harbor, she added. The festival is a space "where we all feel together," regardless of political, social, or economic background. "What was done to that whale is completely the opposite of that," Ms. Dioguardi continued, "and we can't let that change how we felt over the weekend."
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Note: This story has been updated since it originally appeared online. An earlier version of this story incorrectly said that police had already reviewed surveillance footage. That had not happened as if Tuesday.