Port of Cleveland 2013 Tall Ships® Festival
July 4 - 7, 2013

Preliminary "Schedule of Events"

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 Tall Ships Challenge®, a series of port-to-port international sailing races, cruises and maritime festivals starting in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and culminating in Erie, PA.

Wednesday, July 3

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.

Thursday, July 4 - Sunday, July 7

Gates Open:  9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Ship Boarding:  11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.*
Private Hospitality Functions: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.**

Ship ramps are unable to accommodate wheelchairs; dockside viewing only.

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

**Hospitality functions July 4, 5 & 6 only.

Festival Activities

As the first U.S. port to welcome the fleet to the Great Lakes, the festival will have an international flair with a focus on the importance of our diverse heritage and a continued commitment to the respect for and preservation of the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes.  Come and enjoy exhibits, a Maritime Market Place, and great family entertainment.  Take part in dockside youth sail training activities, visit the Festival Village, and discover more about sailing and nautical products and services.