From my desk, I can see the river downtown and I can see a large Tall Ship sailing towards the Main Street Bridge. I googled Tall Ships Jacksonville and found out that there is a Tall Ship festival in Jacksonville this weekend?!?! I know that the Jazz Festival was last weekend but I have seen zero advertising for this event. I also found this on the Landing’s website:
Sail Jacksonville
• Date: May 29 - 31, 2009
• Time: 11-2am
• Cost: Free
Join the City of Jacksonville as we celebrate Jacksonville’s maritime heritage with Sail Jacksonville. Jacksonville’s riverfront will come alive with the beauty of tall ships from around the world. The three-day festival will include a variety of activities that feature our scenic riverfront, including in-the-water events, such as the Pirate Battle for Treasure, land-side demonstrations and events, seamanship demonstrations, live entertainment, children’s activities at the Lil’ Mates Play Dock and more!
This maritime festival will highlight the essential roles the St. Johns River and the maritime community have played in the history of Jacksonville and will be anchored by the visit of several tall ships to Jacksonville’s downtown riverfront.
I know I saw a banner hanging off one of the parking garages advertising this months events and Sail Jax was one of them. I also think there were flags hanging from the light posts throughout downtown saying this as well.
A pirate battle, now that I have to see.
I saw the banner's and a couple billboard's too but all they said was Sail Jacksonville. I thought they were advertising a sailing club :-\ They should at least have some kind of tag line that gives you some idea of what Sail Jacksonville is.
There are two tall ships that are supposed to be here for the event. One is the Pride of Baltimore and the other is the Bounty. The Bounty is the replica ship built for the 1962 film Mutiny on the Bounty. Its undergone a multi-million dollar renovation and is sailing up the east coast to meet the fleet of tall ships that are racing in the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge. The Tall Ships are all meeting in Boston for Sail Boston 2009. Just checked sail tracker for the Bounty and it looks like thats the ship headed up the St. Johns right now.
The Bounty is docked in front of the Hyatt.
I think this is 3rd or 4th year Jax has had this event. Can't remember if they do fireworks or not. Seems like the fireworks budget had been reduced lately.
Shame the Colombian training ship ARC Gloria isn't going to be here.
OCKLAWAHA
Yes they'll have fireworks (from both bridges Saturday @ 9:45) - street closures too. Check it:
http://www.coj.net/Departments/Recreation+and+Community+Services/Special+Events/Sail+Jacksonville/Default.htm
You know, why not combine this with the Jazz Festival next year? Seems to me that one could compliment the other.
They could, but why not have two excuses to come downtown?
there was significant promotion for both Sail Jacksonville and July 4th at the Jazz Festival....and I'm sure there will be a full page ad in Folio this week too.
Sail Jax comes to town every other year, so I remember the Special Events folks telling me. I do not believe it was here in 2008. Last time it did come, man was it hot! Pirate battles are a lot of fun!
We had it in 2008, but that was to make up for it being cancelled in 2007
Probably not a lot of money left for advertising these days.