Head to Coos Bay/North Bend this weekend for the annual festival celebrating ships of a bygone era. The tall ships are coming again! They will be hosted by Coos Bay and North Bend from Thursday, June 1 through Sunday, June 4. You will be among those getting a rare view of these beautiful ships. And, you will be able to tour them, partake of the educational programming, food, beverage, entertainment and even sail on the ships. A fun day for everyone!

You will need a ticket to sail or tour the tall ships. Don’t miss the Parade of Sail on Thursday starting approximately at 2:00 pm. Festivities on Thursday start at 11:00 am until 7:00 pm. The following three days are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. This is an exciting and rare event. Don’t forget the kids as they will love the pirates.

In honor of this event, we are re-posting our original blog about the tall ships complete with photos of the 2 main ships that will be at the festival. Keep reading!

Time for the arrival of the Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain in the port of Coos Bay, Oregon. These two regular visitors will arrive at the harbor on May 1, 2015, for a 12-day stay at mooring on the public docks. From Umpqua River Haven it is a short, 45-minute drive down the beautiful Oregon Coast to Coos Bay.

These two beauties journey here for the annual celebration of the local rich maritime and cultural history of the sea. Visitors have a rare opportunity to experience what life was like onboard these historic sailing ships, see reenactments of battle sails, passages and a healing ceremony with local Native American Tribes, along with local festivals.

The Lady Washington

Venture down to the Coos Bay public docks/park on Highway 101 during early May and you will find school children touring these fine ships. Sign up for a tour but do it quickly as they are sold out fast.

You can follow the journey of these majestic vessels on Facebook:  facebook.com/GHHSA and Twitter: @graysharborhist.

The Hawaiian Chieftain

The adventure never ends with the crews dressed in period costume.  Their expert guidance for both school children and adults is informative, educational and entertaining.

It is fascinating to see all the rigging and practical features when these lovelies are moored with sails furled. And to note the gaps in the toe rail that allow water to flow off the decks.

The Lady Washington

      The Hawaiian Chieftain

 THIS IS LAST YEAR’S SCHEDULE BUT IT WILL GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT HAPPENS. CHECK LOCALLY FOR THIS YEAR’S SCHEDULE Here is the schedule for this 12 day, not-to-be-missed, adventure. Be sure to call for tickets asap as, again, they are quick to sell out! Ticket information is below the schedule:

Friday, May 1
Dock Side Tours ~4-5PM
Wine Walk~5:00pm-7:30 pm
Highland Dancers on Boardwalk – 3:30pm
Read Proclamation “Coos Bay~Tall Ship Port of Oregon ~” Ribbon Cutting~Chamber of Commerce at City Docks
Surfriders “Endless Summer” Beer & Movie night at the Egyptian Theatre, 8pm

Saturday, May 2
Dockside Tours 10-1:00PM
Battle Sail 2:00PM-5:00PM
Evening Sail 6:00PM-8:00PM
Master and Commander at the Egyptian Theatre, Meet and Greet with Hawaiian Chieftain & Lady Washington Crews.
Coos Bay Boat Building Center Boat Show~On Boardwalk
Boat rides in canoes, Kayaks, sailing skiffs and “Pea Pods”
Open House Coos Bay Boat Building Center at the Hollering Place
Celtic Festival Southwestern Oregon Community College 10am – 4pm
GeoCache Event ( Historic Shipyards on Coos Bay)
Treasure Hunt throughout downtown 11:00AM-3:30PM
Vendors 9:00AM-4:00PM, Non-Profit Showcases~ All non-profits invited to have a booth
Front Street Historic Tour
Confederated and Coquille Tribe – Display on the Boardwalk

Sunday, May 3
Reconciliation Sail with Confederated and Coquille Tribe 11:00AM-1:00PM
Dockside Tours 10:00AM-1:00PM
Adventure Sails 11:00AM-1:00PM
Battle Sails 2:00-5:00PM
Egyptian Theatre Secret of Roanish 2:00PM
Doodad Shanti Boys concert ~ Egyptian 7:30 PM

Monday, May 4 – Thursday, May 7
Dockside Tours 4:00pm-5:00pm
Education Sails with Schools Call 1-800-200-LADY

Friday, May 8
Oh Ship Pub Crawl
Dockside Tours 4:00pm-5:00pm

Saturday, May 9
Dockside Tours 10:00am-1:00pm
Adventure Sails 11:00am-1:00pm
Battle Sails 2:00pm-5:00pm
GeoCache Event ( Historic Shipyards on Coos Bay)
Oregon Regency Society “Top Sails and Tea” (This organization will have activities throughout Coos Bay all dressed in 18th and 19th-century clothing. www.orregency.org
Surfriders water activities ~ paddle boards~jousting competition Vendors
Non-Profit showcase about their organization
Harley Davidson Motorcycles on Central Avenue

Sunday, May 10
Tall Ship Dockside Tours 10:00am-1:00pm
Adventure Sails 11:00am -1:00pm
Battle Sails 2:00pm-5:00pm

Purchase tickets by visiting www.historicalseaport.org or by calling 800-200-5239