Tall ships celebrations - San Diego and Liverpool
by Sail-World Cruising on 4 Sep 2012
Tall ships on the Mersey - photo Peter Byrne SW
Show me a sailor who doesn't love the sight of a tall ship sailing with full sails and I'll show you a dead one. This week was a celebration of our sailing heritage in both Liverpool in Britain and San Diego in California, with an amazing 31 tall ships gracing the two ports.
San Diego's Festival was hosted by the Maritime Museum of San Diego, and more than 20 tall ships and other fascinating vessels from around the world livened up the North Embarcadero area of the port.
The festival is held over Labor Day weekend each year. Featuring cannon fire to start the celebrations crowds are welcome to tour the ships during the entire festival. This didn't stop long queues, but there was a festive air, with a petting zoo for kids, Tall ship cannon battles, Treasure Seeker Pirate themed bay cruises, over 100 arts and craft vendors, plus a multitude of food options, even interaction with some of the onboard pirates.
In Liverpool, eleven Tall Ships of various sizes sailed into the city as part of the inaugural Irish Sea Tall Ships Regatta.
It might have been half a world away, but the atmosphere was the same. Many of the Tall Ships were open to the public accompanied by events including street theatre, dancing, craft workshops, story telling, community choirs and a brass band - and, of course, the Parade of Sail.
Enjoy the images!
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