Festival of Sail Begins Today
Experience the magic of tall ships and our maritime heritage during the 2008 San Francisco Festival of Sail, which begins Wednesday, July 23 and runs through Sunday, July 27. Starting with the Grand Parade of Sail Wednesday at noon, the nautical fun takes place in three "villages" located along the San Francisco waterfront where you can visit a variety of sailing vessels. Events include the parade, ship boardings, excursions, mock naval battles, educational programs, and the Velocity Circus' Pirate Academy.
Participating vessels include the US Coast Guard Cutter Eagle (pictured), the state's official tall ship the Californian, the topsail schooner Lynx, an authentic reproduction of Columbus' 15th-century caravel Niña, and the 82' schooner Seaward, operated by our friends at Sausalito's Call of the Sea. Event tickets range from $10 to $85. Wednesday's Grand Parade of Sail should be visible from almost anywhere near the San Francisco waterfront, including the Marin Headlands, Crissy Field, and the Berkeley Marina. There will be a Premier Parade of Sail Viewing Area at the Fort Mason Fire Station, with food and beverages provided by Fort Mason tenants, from 11 am to 1:30 pm; admission is free.
The Festival of Sail is produced by the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association. Get all the information and order tickets at www.festivalofsail.org.
