Tall Ships Return to Portland!

Tens of thousands expected on Portland Waterfront this July

Portland, Maine - Sailing Ships Portland has announced a new maritime festival that is expected to bring tens of thousands of people and a fleet of tall ships to Portland's waterfront this summer.  The festival, called Iberdrola USA Tall Ships Portland 2015, will take place from July 18-20 on the Maine State Pier, Maine Wharf and at the Ocean Gateway Terminal.

The festivities will kick off with a dramatic parade of sail through Portland Harbor on Saturday, including historic vessels from as far away as Spain and the Cook Islands.  At least 8 large vessels are scheduled to visit Portland for the event, including the US Coast Guard barque Eagle, America’s own tall ship. At nearly 300', Eagle will be the biggest of the tall ships to tie up for the festival.

The ships will tie up along Portland's waterfront and visitors can tour these magnificent vessels on Sunday and Monday.

"The City of Portland is pleased to welcome a spectacular international fleet from the Atlantic coast and beyond.  Tall ships showcase our history, our hospitality and our working waterfront," said Mayor Michael Brennan.

"This is an opportunity most people never have to see these beautiful vessels up close, to go aboard and meet the crew, and to step right into our living maritime history.  It takes a village to make this happen," said Alex Agnew, President of Sailing Ships Portland.  "We are honored to have Iberdrola USA as our partner."

Iberdrola USA, which owns Central Maine Power Company in Maine, has signed on as the event's title sponsor.

“We’re pleased to welcome sailing ships and visitors from Maine and around the world to this celebration of our maritime heritage,” said Bob Kump, chief corporate officer for Iberdrola USA. “The employees of Central Maine Power and Iberdrola USA are honored to serve the people of Maine, and our support for Tall Ships Portland is a way for us to say thanks.”

The fleet is coming to Portland as the final port in the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® 2015 Atlantic Coast series of tall ships races and maritime festivals, organized by Tall Ships America.

Port cities that host the tall ships typically experience significant economic impact.  Organizers anticipate over 25,000 spectators to attend the three-day festival, which will include food, vendors and music in addition to tours of the tall ships.

“Since ships tend to visit in the summertime, visitors tend to travel from as far away as four hours, and stay a few extra days,” said Bert Rogers, Executive Director of Tall Ships America of Newport, RI. "Portland has the perfect waterfront for visitors to tour the ships, and enjoy rich Maine maritime heritage," Rogers said.

The marine community is offering warm support with non-profits Sail Maine, Maine Maritime Museum, and Maine Maritime Academy. Other key corporate sponsors include WCSH-TV, the Portland Press Herald and the Portland branch of Morgan Stanley.

Megan Jones, Captain of the sailing vessel Frances, welcomed news of the festival. Frances spends the summer on Portland's waterfront and takes visitors on day-sailing trips in Portland Harbor.

"We are so excited to be sharing the waterfront with these beautiful and historic vessels," Jones said.  "They are going to get a warm welcome in Portland and I hope as many people as possible come out to see them."

Sailing Ships Portland, the local event organizer in cooperation with Tall Ships America, is a Maine-based nonprofit and proceeds from the event will go toward youth sail training and education at sea.  Tall Ships and "Tall Ships Are Coming!" are registered trademarks of Tall Ships America.

Tickets go on sale April 3 at 9 a.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.tallshipsportland.com where you can also sign up to receive news about the event, volunteer to work with the ships and learn how you can be out on the water during the Parade of Sail. Tickets are $15 and allow boarding of the ships and access to the festival grounds. Access to the USCG Eagle and viewing of the Saturday Parade of Sail are free.

For more information contact Tall Ships Portland 2015 at tickets@tallshipsportland.com or 207-619-1842.