Dana Point Tall Ships Festival features the Spirit of Dana Point

Ocean Institute Presents 25th Annual Toshiba Tall Ships Festival in Dana Point, Ca.  Toshiba Tall Ships Festival, the largest annual gathering of tall ships on the West Coast, will be held in 2009 on the weekend of September 11-13, 5-7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday & Sunday.

DANA POINT, CA - The Ocean Institute will present its 25th annual event with the majesty and wonder of tall ships, interactive living-history encampments, blacksmiths, schrimshaw artists, and the infamous Port Royal Privateers.

Explore hands-on labs and art activities, get up-close and personal with some of the ocean’s most amazing sea creatures, including sea stars, jellies, rays and octopus. New this year, your child may participate in our Friendly Pirate School. Watch as your child learns to talk like a pirate, walk like a pirate and sing like a pirate atthe Ocean Institute.

The Ocean Institute is a non-profit organization founded in 1977. It is dedicated to ocean preservation. Open to the general public on weekends, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Cost: $6.50 adults, $4.50 children (ages 4-12), unique maritime and ocean-themed items are available in the Chambers Gallery everyday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Institute address: 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr., Dana Point. Website: www.ocean-institute.org. Phone: (949) 496-2274.

This year’s spectacular Toshiba Tall Ships Festival celebrates the area’s rich maritime history!  Tall Ships scheduled to participate include: American Pride, Brig Pilgrim, Spirit of Dana Point, Californian, Curlew, Exy Johnson, and Irving Johnson.

(for those remaining on land and dockside)
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (ship deck tours end at 3:30 p.m.)
Cost: Members: $6.50 / adults, $4.50 / children (3-12yrs.)
Non-members $10.00 / adults, $8.00 / children (3-12yrs.)

Cost includes tall ship deck tours and entrance into Ocean Institute; visit our web page for parking and shuttle service that is free to all guests.

Toshiba Tall Ships Festival Cruise Schedule:
(for those wishing to go out to sea)
Friday, September 11

Tall Ships Sunset Parade Sail: (4:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.) $45 / adults, $34 / children (4-12yrs.)

Parade Escort Cruise: (5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.) $30 / adults, $25 / children (4-12yrs.)
(aboard the R/V Sea Explorer)

Saturday and Sunday, September 12th & 13th

Experience blasting cannons, towering rigging, bustling decks and the magnificence of canvas full of wind. Work with the crew hauling up sail or simply sit back and enjoy the spectacular demonstration of skill, knowledge and survival!

Tall Ship Cannon Battle Sails (5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.)
$65 / adults, $51 / children (4-12yrs.)

Cannon Battle Escort Cruises (5:45 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.)  $30 / adults, $25 / children (4-12yrs)
aboard the R/V Sea Explorer

Admission and Cruise Tickets Available Online at www.ocean-institute.org.
Members-only registration begins June 22nd; General registration begins July 13th