Tall Ship Festival sails into Dana Point, Sept. 6-7

DANA POINT – The Dana Point Harbor seascape will be replete with towering masts and massive sails when historic tall ships sail into the bay for the 30th annual Toshiba Tall Ships Festival, Sept. 6-7.

This year’s festival, in partnership with the Tall Ships America’s Pacific Coast Tall Ships Challenge series, will highlight California’s maritime history and welcome 10 historic ships to Dana Point.

A Tall Ships Sunset Parade will take place prior to the festival on Sept. 5, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Spectators can view the parade of ships entering the harbor from the breakwater. Hosted by the Ocean Institute, the festival offers a weekend jam-packed with educational and entertaining activities. Attendees can learn more about these unique vessels that are full of maritime history.

For a nominal fee, festival-goers can go aboard tall ships docked in the harbor, watch pirates battle it out with a live mock cannon battle or head into the Ocean Institute and search for treasure. A pirate parrot show and a touch tank will also be available to visitors.

Living-history encampments — where blacksmiths, scrimshaw artists and the Port Royal Privateers set up camp — are open for attendees to walk around.

Ships scheduled to attend the festival include the brig Pilgrim, Spirit of Dana Point, Irving Johnson and Exy Johnson, American Pride, Californian, and Curlew, Bill of Rights, and Patricia Belle.

Ticket prices vary. General admission for the Toshiba Tall Ships Festival is $5 for adults and children (3-12) who are Ocean Institute members. Non-member ticket fees are $8 for adults and children (3-12). Cruises are extra.

Visit tallshipsfestival.com for more information.

Tall Ships Festival Cruise Schedule:

Friday, Sept. 5:
Tall Ships Sunset Parade Sail: 4:30-7:30 p.m. Members: $35/adults, $25/children (ages 4-12) Non-members: $45/adults, $35/children (4-12)

Parade Escort Cruise: 5-7 p.m. Members: $25/adults, $20/children (ages 3-12) Non-members: $30/ adults, $25/children (ages 3-12)

Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 6 and 7:
Experience blasting cannons, towering rigging, bustling decks and the magnificence of canvas full of wind. Work with the crew hauling up sails, or simply sit back and enjoy the spectacular demonstration of skill, knowledge and survival.

Tall Ship Cannon Battle Sails: 4:30-7:30 p.m. Members: $50/adults, $40/children (ages 4-12) Non-members: $65/adults, $55/children (ages 4-12)

Cannon Battle Escort Cruises: 5-6:30 p.m. Members: $25/adults, $20/children (4-12) Non-members: $30/adults, $25/children (4-12).