Festival of Ships sails into Sandusky
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By John Benson
You don’t have to be a nautical lover to be enamored with the majestic beauty of a sailboat. That’s the idea behind the 2008 Festival of Ships, which returns to the Sandusky July 4 through 6 in downtown Sandusky at the Sandusky Bay Pavilion, Battery Park Marina and the Maritime Museum of Sandusky.
This year’s event is centered around the arrival of the Great Lakes schooners Journey, Mysterious Ways, Royaliste and Appledore V. In addition, the latter vessel will be offering afternoon and evening rides throughout the three-day festival.
“I think it draws people of all different ages,” said City of Sandusky Recreations Program Supervisor Michele Hall. “The adults like it because there are these very tall ships. The seniors like it because the ships most likely have a historic value to them. And the kids like it because it’s something you don’t get to see everyday. You are able to board the ships and there are different things on the ships that you can do.”
Co-sponsored by the City of Sandusky’s Parks & Recreation Division, the Maritime Museum of Sandusky and the Lake Erie Shores & Islands Welcome Center, the Festival of Ships returns to Sandusky after a two-year absence. Considering the 2006 event featured nearly 4,000 people purchasing passes to board the ships firsthand, hopes are high that the 2008 Festival of Ships will be even more successful.
“The last time we had three tall ships and this year we have four,” Hall said. “Also, last time we had entertainment for two of the days and this year we’ll have entertainment for three days.”
Taking place at the Sandusky Bay Pavilion, live performances include folk singer Lee Murdock (6 p.m., July 4), children’s act Capt’n Willie’s Silly Pirate Show (1 p.m., July 5) and the Dixieland Dixie Doodlers (1 p.m., July 6). Additional activities include tall ship model building for kids, a special exhibit at the Maritime Museum of Sandusky and a Great Lakes Water Quality exhibit at the Sandusky Bay Pavilion.
“I think one of the main things is it’s the Fourth of July weekend,” Hall said. “It’s a fun family event to do any of the days. Also, there is the fact that the ships don’t always come to this port. Three of the four ships have not been here before, so that’s new and it’s great to come and check those out.”
She added, “So just to come on down to see these very large and huge ships.”
Want to go?
WHEN: July 4 through 6
WHERE: Sandusky Bay Pavilion, Battery Park Marina and the Maritime Museum of Sandusky.
COST: Adult boarding passes available for $6, youth passes (under 13) $4. Age 5-under free. The boarding passes include admission to the ships and activities at the Sandusky Bay Pavilion and the Maritime Museum of Sandusky.
Prior to the festival, boarding passes may be purchased at the Maritime Museum of Sandusky, 125 Meigs St. or call 419-624-0274.
Want to sail?
WHEN:
— Daily sails 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1-2:30 p.m. and 3-4:30 p.m. on the Appledore
— Evening sails 7-10 p.m., July 4 and 5
COST: Day sails $25 per person. Evening sails $50 per person
RESERVATIONS: Call Lake Erie Shores & Islands Welcome Center, 800-255-3743.