It ’ s been three years since the majestic fleet of tall ships under full sail graced Presque Isle Bay for the triennial Tall Ships Erie festival . Watching the parade of ships on opening day , one can imagine what it must have looked like on the bay during the days of Oliver Hazard Perry . Ten ships are confirmed for this year ’ s event including our own flagship and ambassador of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania , the U . S . Brig Niagara .
Flagship Niagara League Executive Director Shawn Waskiewicz says planning for the event started two years ago and is the biggest fundraiser for the organization .
“ In 2013 , we raised $ 426,000 from the four-day festival but more importantly the Tall Ships Erie is an economic driver for our community and the biggest event for Erie all summer ,” says Waskiewicz .
Visit Erie estimates that the last Tall Ships Erie generated $ 6 million for the local economy and attracted 83,000 people .
The star of this year ’ s show is expected to be the El Galeón , a 170-foot authentic wooden replica of a galleon that was part of Spain ’ s West Indies fleet . She will be docked , along with the U . S . Brig Niagara , the Mist of Avalon and the Denis Sullivan at the Bayfront Convention Center .
These four ships will be available for patrons to board throughout the weekend of the festival in addition to the Pride of Baltimore II , Pathfinder and Playfare , which will be stationed at the Erie Maritime Museum and are included in the general admission ticket as well .
If merely touring the ships isn ’ t enough for you and you want a chance to get out on the water on one of these impressive vessels , 90-minute junkets from Dobbins Landing into the bay will be offered .
This year , you can choose from the Appledore IV , When & If , and Bloodhound for the day sails . Space and tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance , so plan ahead if you want to make this a part of your Tall Ships Erie experience .
Although the ships are the main attraction , the Bayfront Convention Center will also host vendors and activities to keep the kids happy .
The Bayfront Maritime Center ( BMC ) will be open during the festival as an education center with the Schooner Porcupine as an exhibit . The Porcupine is a representation of a Battle of Lake Erie gunboat that the center has been reconstructing for the past year . The schooner will be in the late stages of construction and will be on display with some other boats that the center has built with students over the years .
An experimental art installation by local artist Heather Hertel , who creates with retired yacht sails , will also be featured at the BMC for Tall Ships Erie .
Live music from bands that play shanties and have nautical themes will help you get in the spirit of the festival , with bands like the Hard Tackers out of Columbus , Ohio and Tom Kastle out of Milwaukee , Wis .
Headlining the weekend is Tom Mason and the Blue Buccaneers from Nashville , Tenn . The Blue Buccaneers travel the country entertaining audiences with their maritime and shanty music and it ’ s their first appearance in Erie .
An event this big that spans several locations requires a huge volunteer force . “ This event couldn ’ t happen without our volunteers . In 2013 we had 900 volunteers who helped . The volunteers drive the festival ,” says Waskiewicz .
Volunteering is an excellent way to be a part of the festivities and to get you free admission . Each volunteer gets an event
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West County | Fall 2016 | icmags . com 15