Cleveland Tall Ships :: About the Festival

PORT OF CLEVELAND 2013 TALL SHIPS® FESTIVAL

Presented by

The Rotary Club of Cleveland

July 4 - 7, 2013

About the Festival: In July 2013 a fleet of magnificent Tall Ships will sail into the Port of Cleveland to participate in a 4-day, fun-filled festival. The Rotary Club of Cleveland will host 10-12 replica historic vessels in celebration of its 100th anniversary in honor of its long-time commitment to the people of the City of Cleveland. The Festival will showcase the diverse Great Lakes maritime history, spotlighting environmental themes while promoting youth leadership through sail training. Visitors can board the vessels, meet the crew and experience the heritage these ships symbolize. Cleveland welcomes the Great Lakes United Tall Ships Challenge ®, a series of port to port international sailing races, cruises and maritime festivals starting in Toronto and ending in Chicago.

Opening Festivities: Wednesday, July 3

Majestic Parade of Sail: 4:00 p.m.

Opening Ceremonies: 7:00 p.m.

The public is invited to view the spectacular entry of the Tall Ships under full sail at Cleveland's harbor. The Parade of Sail may be viewed from Voinovich Park. Ships are not open to the public until July 4. The Festival, beginning July 4, 2013 will take place at the Port of Cleveland, behind FirstEnergy Stadium: Home of the Cleveland Browns.

General Information

Tickets (Admission and ship boarding) Thursday, July 4 - Sunday, July 7:

Tickets are good any day of the Festival – Rain or shine!

$14 Day Of $11 groups of 10 or more

$12 Advance Sale $11 Seniors (65+); Rotarians; Military

$8 Children 6-14 (under 5 free)

Tickets information coming soon.

Gates open: 9:30 am to 6:00 pm

Ship boarding: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm*

*Ship boarding hours are subject to change and lines may close before posted time to accommodate those already in line.

Festival Activities

Enjoy Exhibits, Maritime Market Place and Family Entertainment. Take part in youth sail training activities dockside, visit the Festival Village and discover more about sailing and nautical products and services. Learn how maritime activities along the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes are working to improve the environment. Ship ramps are unable to accommodate wheelchairs; dockside viewing only.

Group Sales and information

Discounts are available for 10 or more people - see home page for an application. Group coordinators with event questions may call 216-236-8467 and leave a message.

Group Tickets: $11; Children in the group – $8

Two FREE tickets – one each for the group driver and guide; additional chaperones with youth groups - $8

Bus Parking: Information, final location and fees will be available to the group coordinators as the event gets closer.

Food: Groups may not bring their own food into the Festival, but concessions will be available and it will be possible to arrange for boxed lunches through the Festival’s caterer or concessionaire. It may be possible to reserve a place to eat as a group (in hospitality chalets) for a nominal fee.

Sail Aways

Three ships will be providing 1.5 hour sails during the day. Children under 6 are not permitted to sail. Advance purchase of individual sail away tickets is not available at this time. For information on chartering a ship for a private sail or event, please call 216-236-8467 and leave a message.

Project YESS (Youth Empowered to Succeed through Sailing). Youth most in need of programming are often left outside the programming circle. Reaching these students is the impetus of Project YESS, a legacy progarm developed by the Rotary Club of Cleveland and launched in 2010. Project YESS helps youth (ages 13-17) by providing direction, developing courage, confidence and community, and opening students' eyes to unique career opportunities that exist in the Great Lakes region. Go to the Project YESS section of the website for more information.