Ocean State Tall Ships Festival 2012 July 6 9 th, 2012
In July of 2012, the pageantry of the tall ships will sail into Newport Harbor once again for the Ocean State Tall Ships Festival. As an official host port for the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE series on the Atlantic Coast, the event promises to bring hundreds of thousands of spectators and visitors to Newport, Rhode Island. The scenic and historic waterfront of Newport is the idyllic setting to observe the splendor of the tall ships, and families delight in the majesty of the Parade of Sail through Newport Harbor. This event will also feature exhibits, food, music and family entertainment. Children especially enjoy boarding these remarkable vessels, and the opportunity to meet international crew members provides all visitors with insight into the many unique cultures that have helped to shape the past and future of sailing. A sail through history for the whole family. What better way to celebrate Rhode Island s rich maritime history than with the spectacle of the tall ships. Next year, our country will celebrate the bicentennial anniversary of the War of 1812 and the Ocean State Tall Ships Festival is an excellent way to honor this historical milestone. The Ocean State Tall Ships Festival 2012 promises to be a great economic generator for Newport County and the entire State of Rhode Island. The magnificence of the tall ships, set against the backdrop of the picturesque shores of Newport, will showcase our state and instill pride in our citizens. Join us in making the Ocean State Tall Ships Festival 2012 a resounding success.
What Tall Ships means to a Community In 2007, when the tall ships last sailed to Newport, an estimated 200,000 attended, delivering an economic impact of over $20 million to the State of Rhode Island. This year, the event will be taking place when school is out, the weekend following the 4 th of July, and right after the America s Cup World Series event taking place at Fort Adams.
Why Newport In comparison to other host cities, Newport is ideally situated in the Northeast corridor of Boston to Washington, DC, with a population base of over 49.6 million people. As a short day trip from population centers of metro Providence, Boston, and New York, there is the potential to reach hundreds of thousands of spectators daily. In fact, in 2009 the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE series in Boston brought in an estimated 3.1 million visitors with an overall economic impact of $56 million. Their Festival is the weekend prior to ours, so we expect to draw upon some of their participating vessels to come to Newport. There exists a tremendous opportunity for the Ocean State Tall Ships Festival 2012 to exceed 2007 estimates.
The undisputed Sailing Capital of the World No other city has such a rich maritime heritage and a long history of hosting successful public events as Newport, Rhode Island. As part of the United States Bicentennial celebration, the Tall Ships Festival of 1976 reaffirmed Newport s commitment to bringing back these vessels whenever possible and has since hosted numerous Tall Ships events. Rhode Islanders remember this historical event and still speak fondly of their memories surrounding Tall Ships Festivals throughout their lives. In addition to its association with the America s Cup, having hosted 12 of the 33 America s Cup regattas from 1930 to 1983, and the America s Cup Hall of Fame, Newport has become known as the Sailing Capital of the World.
Ocean State Tall Ships Festival Schedule of Events July 5 Tall Ships Arrive July 6 Tall Ships open for Tours at 10:00am 5:00 pm Festival begins with food, music, exhibits and family entertainment Day sails offered with Newport vessels Welcome/Captains Reception Maybe Fireworks in the evening (could be city fireworks) Private evening receptions for sponsors July 7 Crew/Cadet Soccer Tournament 8 11 Tall Ships open for Tours from 10 5 Festival Continues Day sails offered with Newport vessels Crew/Cadet Newport Cultural Day mansion and city tours Private evening receptions for sponsors Tall Ships Captains Ball July 8 Crew/Cadet Soccer Tournament 8 11 Tall Ships open for Tours from 10 5 Festival Continues Day sails offered with Newport vessels Crew/Cadet Beach day and Cook out Possible Band Concert Private evening receptions for sponsors July 9 Tall Ships Parade of Sail 12pm Departure of Tall Ships to Sea 4pm
Our Signature Event: The International Captain s Ball Location Private residence on the July 7th (6:30 12:00) Expected: 500 attendees Key Note Speaker or Guest of Honor Entertainment Catered Dinner Valet Parking
The Festival on the Waterfront Vessels, Size and Number Non gated event, charged boarding passes Satellite Parking and Transportation Plan Entertainment and Festivities throughout the Port Vendor Trade Market War of 1812 200 th Year Anniversary Commemoration with the local Navy Base, Naval War College an Navy Band
The Fleet and Berthing Plan Vessels HMS Bounty Lynx Providence Unicorn Picton Castle Pride of Baltimore II Gazela Spirit of Massachusetts Tree of Life Alabama Mystic Whaler OWL Dockage Newport Shipyard State Pier Newport Yacht Club Bowen s Wharf Waite s Wharf Bannister s Wharf Newport Marina Newport yachting Center IRYS Newport Harbor Hotel
Lead Media Sponsor WPRI Channel 12, FOX Providence and MyRI TV, has joined Ocean State Tall Ships as our first sponsor and exclusive television partner. 30 minute segment Rhode Show Coverage aboard vessels and Parade of Sail 90 Promotional Commercials Advertisements The Newport Daily News 92 Pro FM WPRO 630
Newport is the sailing capital of America, and Rhode Island is the Ocean State. We have earned these designations from our rich maritime heritage and from our long history of hosting successful maritime events and vessels of all kinds. Our community has the necessary infrastructure and highly skilled maritime workforce to support all types of sailing craft, from the modern hightech vessels of our world renowned yachting events to the stately and majestic ships of the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE series. Congressman David Cicilline, United States House of Representatives
Erin L. Donovan Executive Director 29 Touro Street Newport, RI 02840 401 847 OSTS (6787) 401 474 7009 edonovan@oceanstatetalls hips.com OceanStateTallShips.com http://www.facebook.com/ #!/OceanStateTallShips