“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain
How many times has this quote been heard by the students aboard a tall ship while enrolled in Class Afloat, a program organized by Tall Ships America®? Yes, students! Students earning college credits while learning to lead and to be led, to set sails, navigate, set courses, conduct rescue training drills, tie knots, galley duty and all the while sailing around the world.
Wikipedia describes a tall ship as a large, traditionally-rigged sailing vessel. Traditionally rigged vessels are what you will find when you attend the Tall Ship Celebration in Bay City on July 11th - 14th, the second port stop of the Tall Ships Challenge® Great Lakes Challenge.
Breathtaking! That is the only word that can describe the grand arrival of the tall ships on July 11th. Replicas of ships ranging from the War of 1812 to modern floating classrooms will sail into port and be available for boarding as the festival kicks off on the 12th. Once on board, sailors and students alike will be anxious to talk about life aboard a tall ship and to give tours.
What an opportunity for the Great Lakes Bay Region! Seeing tall ships sail into Bay City and the sight of them docked downtown on both sides of the Saginaw River. Imagine the photographs that will be taken, the stories told, the joy of experiencing something new, yet something old.
Laughter and music will unfold as the festival kicks off. Maritime musicians from around the world will entertain. Michigan’s best craft brewed beers will be available. Children’s crafts, fine art show and re-enactments will help to round out the experience. An experience that can be described in just one word: Exciting!
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