Ocean State
Tall Ships Festival 2012
速
newport Rhode Island
July 6-9th 2012
I
n 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.
As Governor of the State of Rhode Island, I am proud that Newport will be an official host port for the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE速 series on the Atlantic Coast in the summer of 2012. 2012 marks the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, a defining event in the national history of the United States and Canada, and our citizens are excited to commemorate this important bicentennial. Governor Lincoln Chafee State of Rhode Island
About
Tall Ships America
®
of Tall Ships America®, and it continues to act as the hub for tall
Everyone aboard Spirit of Massachusetts from captain and crew through the young sail trainees funded by your event’s sponsors was awed by the pageantry and the skilled organization and attention to detail generated by the Newport volunteers. I don’t believe any city like Newport has ever produced
ship expertise, information and activity.
such an event.
F
ounded in 1973, Tall Ships America® was created to encourage character building through sail training,
promote sail training to the North American public and support education under sail. Today, over 200 sailing vessels are members
Tall Ships America® launched the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® series ®
in 2001, an annual series of Tall Ships races and maritime port festivals that informs the general public about tall ships, our maritime heritage and the incredible power of sail training to change lives. Ocean State Tall Ships® brings both a vibrant history and educational opportunities to all Rhode Islanders.
Captain Richard Bailey Wellfleet, MA Commenting on the 2007 visit of the Tall Ships® to Newport
Ocean State Tall Ships Festival Schedule of Events 速
July 5
Tall Ships Arrive
July 6
Tall Ships Open for Tours
More tall ships arrive
Festival begins with food, music, exhibits and family entertainment
Day sails offered with Newport vessels
Fireworks in the evening
Private evening receptions for sponsors
July 7
Tall Ships Open for Tours
Day sails offered with Newport vessels
Crew/Cadette Beach day and Cook out
Welcome/Captains Luncheon
Private evening receptions for sponsors
Tall Ships速 International Ball
July 8
Tall Ships Open for Tours
Day sails offered with Newport vessels
Crew/Cadette Newport Cultural Day
(mansion and city tours)
Concert
Private evening receptions for sponsors
July 9
Parade of Sail at Noon
What Tall Ships means to a Community ®
S
ince its launch in 2001, the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® series has visited 32 North American cities, bringing over 17 million spectators to experience the tall ships
and creating an estimated overall economic impact of over $1.27 billion. The event also provides a unique opportunity for the participants to interact with the crews of vessels from around the world. 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. 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. There exists a tremendous opportunity for the Ocean State Tall Ships® Festival 2012 to exceed 2007 estimates.
As Rhode Island continues to grapple with high unemployment and economic discontent, the Ocean State Tall Ships® Festival 2012 could provide a jolt of economic stimulus and serve as a reminder of our great heritage.
The undisputed sailing capital of the world
N
o 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. 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.
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 high-tech 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
29 Touro Street Newport, RI 02840 401-847-OSTS (6787) OceanStateTallShips.com