OCEAN INSTITUTE’S 39TH ANNUAL MARITIME FESTIVAL ON TAP FOR SEPT. 8-10

The tall ships are returning to Ocean Institute for the 39th Annual Maritime Festival (formerly Tall Ships Festival) from Sept. 8-10. The three-day event celebrates California’s rich maritime history and is one of the Ocean Institute’s major fundraisers. All proceeds go to support the nonprofit’s ocean education programs.
“The Maritime Festival is an exciting experience for the whole family. Guests can immerse themselves in California’s maritime history, legends, and culture, while supporting our ocean science education programs,” said Dr. Wendy Leavell, OI’s president and CEO.
California’s rich maritime history comes alive at this popular event. The festival is full of all things maritime, kicking off on Friday afternoon from 3:30 to 8 p.m. with the tall ships setting sail for cannonbattles at sea. Later, from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., get ready to boogie at the Sails ‘n Ales Craft Beer Partyfeaturing brews from eight local brewers and music by Rogues In Xisle (“It Takes a Pillage”).
As the weekend continues, festival goers have numerous choices to fill the days with all things maritime, starting with the Festival Adventure Pass (adults, $20; seniors and military, $18.50; kids (2-14), $17). The pass allows access to three main areas of the event:

• Ocean Institute’s Main Campus, open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., offers an array of educational activities centered on maritime history and its impact on our culture.
• The Maddie James Seaside Learning Center & Historical Wharf is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.for tall ship tours.
• The Lil’ Lads’ Landing, open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., offers a pirate obstacle course, festival games, challenges, and opportunities to win prizes, face painting, crafts and more!
  If your fantasies include an encounter with mermaids, you’re in luck, because those dreams can come
  true at the festival’s mermaid adventures on both Saturday and Sunday:
• Breakfast with Mermaids, 8:15 a.m. to 10 a.m., and The Mermaid Tea by the Sea, 1:15 p.m. to 3 p.m. Both events offer a dazzling mermaid swim show, story time, and photo session. The breakfast will be catered by Maison Café and high tea will be catered by The Tea House on Los Rios. Tickets are $70 per person and include a Festival Adventure Pass.
• Missed the Mermaid Breakfast or the Mermaid Tea by the Sea? No worries. Attend an interactive Mermaid Swim Show ($35 per person) offered at 10:15 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. The ticket includes a Festival Adventure Pass.
  Ahoy, Matey! Want to learn to be a pirate? Go to Cap’n Jack’s Pirate School for Lil’ Scallywags ($35 per person) at 11:15 a.m. or 3:15 p.m. Do you have what it takes to become a master of maritime? Or will you walk the plank? The ticket includes a Festival Adventure Pass.
  Dress up like a pirate or mermaid, polish your sleuthing skills, and immerse yourself in the magic and mystery at Ocean Institute’s 2nd Annual Pirate & Mermaid Ball! The celebration takes place at Ocean Institute on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Suggested attire is pirate or mermaid fashion and masquerade masks. Tickets are $300 per person, and sponsorships are available. The event is a murder mystery masquerade featuring a gourmet sit-down dinner, silent and live auctions, paddleraise, live music, dancing, and—the focus of the night—solving the murder mystery. It’s a whodunit designed to raise funds for ocean education.
  Detailed information about the Maritime Festival can be found at www.maritime-fest.org. Photo by Don Telford and courtesy of the Ocean Institute