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Tall Ships Festival Sails Into Tacoma
Ever wanted to feel the wind in your face while standing on the wooden deck of one of the world’s greatest tall ship?
Now you can!
Join us at Tacoma’s Commencement Bay July 3 – 7 where you can experience the thrill of more than 30 majestic tall ships arriving for the Tall Ships® Tacoma 2008 Festival.
A sample of this year’s highlights include:
The Niña, the most historically accurate replica of Christopher Columbus’ 1492 ship that he sailed across the Atlantic. Climb aboard and look westward, the New World calls!
The HMS Bounty, built in 1960 for the movie “Mutiny on the Bounty” with Marlon Brando. This ship took center stage in the famous story of Captain Bligh and his mutinous crew. The spirit of Lieutenant Fletcher Christian awaits!
The USCG Eagle. This Coast Guard Cutter is the official training vessel for the U.S. Coast Guard and is the only active-duty sailing vessel in the U.S. military. The Eagle has not been on the West Coast in more than a decade. Don’t miss your chance to see this fascinating part of our nation’s history.
Kaisei. Since her launch in 1990, this Class A vessel has sailed more than 40,000 miles with a crew of thousands from 25 countries. She is operated by the Ocean Voyages Institute to teach about maritime arts and sciences and about preserving the oceans.
And of course, Lady Washington will attend. Lady Washington is the official tall ship of the State of Washington.
The 2008 festival begins July 3 with the Parade of Sail. This amazing sight begins in nearby Vashon Island when the ships unfurl their sails and head to Tacoma.
Thousands of smaller boats, kayaks, canoes and yachts will greet the ships and escort them into the waterway where they will dock for four days of tours and excursions.
This is the second time Tacoma has hosted this prestigious international maritime event. During the festival a two-mile stretch of the Thea Foss Waterway in downtown Tacoma will be transformed into three themed villages and filled with a variety of food, entertainment, merchandise, arts and crafts, and children’s activities. There is something for everyone!
“The excitement and outpouring of community support for the 2005 festival made us realize that Tacoma is the perfect host for this event,” said Joe Jadwin, president of the Tacoma Tall Ships® Organization.
While the festival is free to attend, you will need a ticket to tour a ship or take a three-hour sailing excursion. Boarding passes are $10 per day for all of the B and C Class vessels and $20 per day for all of the vessels plus the premium ships Niña, Bounty and Kaisei. There is no charge for touring the USCG Eagle.
If an excursion is more to your taste, tickets will be available for either morning, afternoon or evening sails. Tickets range in price from $40 to $200 and offer a unique opportunity to experience the romance and adventure of the high seas.
Public ticket sales start May 19 but members of the Tacoma Tall Ships® Organization can purchase a limited number of advance tickets beginning March 1. Membership in TTSO supports the 2008 festival as well as youth sail training and future maritime events celebrating Tacoma’s rich history.
Whether you are a landlubber or an old salt, you won’t be able to ignore the appeal of the ships. Make plans now to visit the Thea Foss Waterway during Tall Ships®Tacoma 2008.
They’re Coming. Are You?
