Tall Ship and Great Schooner Parade

The sails appear off the Dana Point Headlands at as the fleet gathers in preparation for entering the harbor. From shore watch the crews of the Tall Ships furl the sails and make preparations for entry to the harbor around sunset. All while defending themselves from the cannon blasts of renegade vessels.

Certainly the highlight of the festival, sailors and participating Tall Ships and Great Schooners will include the Pilgrim, Spirit of Dana Point, Exy Johnson, Irving Johnson, Californian, American Pride, Curlew, and Lynx.

Tall Ship Cannon Battles!

At sunset sail aboard the tall ship of your choice and experience first hand the thrill of a cannon battle at sea. This is an amazing opportunity and space on the vessels will fill fast.

Sea Chantey Concerts

A stage with two full days of sea faring's best music. Sea chanteys, forebitters, ballads and more featuring nationally acclaimed musicians and storytellers.

Annual Richard Henry Dana Charity Regatta

This premier event, sponsored by the Dana Point Yacht Club, will benefit the Ocean Institute. The regatta includes: a Marine Corps Twilight Fishing Tournament; a Sponsor’s and VIP reception/ dinner held at the Ocean Institute; racing for PHRF, non-spinnaker, and junior sabot classes; and a gala dinner and auction at the Dana Point Yacht Club. All events are open to the public. For more info. and pricing, please visit www.dpyc.org.

Aboard the Tall Ship Pilgrim!

Pirate Adventure Pass required
Venture aboard the tall ship Pilgrim for a swashbuckling experience! Enjoy a variety of interactive demonstrations, sail raising, and ship handling while you experience this famous Dana Point icon.

Naval Historical Education Foundation

During the late 1700s and early 1800s, the British Royal Navy conducted a practice known as the Impressment Service. Hired men called ‘gangers’ would seize unsuspecting seamen and “impress” them for service in the British Navy. Fierce fighting often broke out, but the seamen (generally ages 18 to 55 yrs) rarely got away. Impressments were a common and accepted method used by the British Navy to increase the size of their force. The Press Gang living-history group will demonstrate this practice in a dramatic re-enactment during the Toshiba Tall Ships Festival. This exciting living-history demonstration will take place on board the Pilgrim, both Saturday and Sunday of the festival. See schedule of events for times.

Journeys to the Past (Pirate Adventure Pass Required) “Journeys to the Past” take students on a journey into the lifestyle of the California Indian, in particular the Acjachemen Nation. Jacque Nunez shares through stories and songs, her people's indigenous tools, instruments, games and clothing.  Participants leave with a wonderful understanding of what it means to be "keepers of the earth." Show is offered three times daily

Omar's and Zoomars Zoomars Petting Zoo will be open throughout the day! Carolyn first entered the industry when a line of dog toys she created for a college project won her a Best New Product Award at APPMA. Having owned her own marketing and design firm, Carolyn consulted for a number of leading pet companies and served as the first-ever Director of Marketing for the prestigious American Kennel Club in New York City. Aside from her involvement with the bird stores, Carolyn also runs the couple's petting zoo, Zoomars, in San Juan Capistrano. Carolyn continues to take Zoomars to new levels and is committed to promoting the benefits of companion animals. To learn more about Zoomars and their playful friends, please visit their web page at http://zoomars.com

Public Tours of the Tall Ships

Explore the majesty and wonder of tall ships and speak with the men and women who sail them. Seven spectacular historic vessels will sail into Dana Point harbor Friday evening as part of the Toshiba Tall Ships Festival Sunset Parade. All seven tall ships will be open for above deck tours from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The brig Pilgrim will remain open until 5:00 p.m. both days and will offer continuous activities and interactive demonstrations. We invite you to take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity and experience a taste of our rich maritime history.
Pirate Adventure Pass required

Laurena G. Chambers Gallery

The Laurena G. Chambers Gallery offers a variety of distinctive products including books, puzzles, wind chimes, jewelry, home decor, apparel, and more! With new pirate loot arrival for the Festival, you're sure to find that perfect gift!

Live Music, Interactive Encampments, and Arts & Craft Show
at Baby Beach Grass Park

With a spectacular view of the tall ships, the grass park hosts a fun-filled variety of festival activities. On stage, audiences can enjoy live seafaring music (presented by nationally acclaimed musicians)... Other performances include storytellers and traditional hula dancers. Throughout the park, visitors can explore and experience interactive living-history encampments including blacksmiths, schrimshanders, medieval sword fighters and, the infamous Port Royal Privateers who are sure to entertain and amaze guests of all ages. Additionally, visitors can participate in knot tying races or witness the spectacular art of traditional rope work. Don’'t forget to check out the unique fine arts & craft show that has continued to grow each year offering a fabulous array of creative works. Last but not least, all can enjoy the delicious variety of foods & tasty treats offered in the food court. See event schedule for individual activity times.

Live On Stage at Baby Beach Park

Enjoy Live Sea-Faring Music and Special Performances

Bob Zentz

Renowned singer, Bob Zentz, from Norfolk, Virginia, plays a smorgasbord of contemporary, traditional and original songs. Zentz is a multi-instrumentalist who plays some twenty different folk instruments. He offers a variety of traditional Celtic tunes, sea chanteys and pirate songs through his unique views of history, humanity and humor. In performance, the audience becomes involved, creating a spirit of community, through shared choruses and related ideas. Don’t miss this phenomenal entertainer at the Toshiba Tall Ships Festival.

Westlin Weavers

The band features Scottish contemporary musicians and exciting up-and-coming musicians. Playing traditional and contemporary Scottish/Irish favorites as well as a variety of contemporary acoustic selections, their repertoire is Celtic, but the flavor is definitely American, and see if you hear a touch of bluegrass in their sound.

Bill Dempsey
Bill Dempsey is a fulltime public school music teacher and a part time professional singer, guitarist, shanty man and multi-instrumentalist. Bill began his association with the Ocean Institute in 1988 working on the tall ship Pilgrim. He has been a part of the Tall Ships Festival since 1990 singing sea chanteys from days gone by and works to organize the entertainers. Bill will celebrate the release of his third CD of shanties and sea songs at this year’s festival.

Halau Hula Lani Ola
Beautifully costumed dancers bring to us the mystery and beauty of Polynesia in a variety of hulas using traditional Hawai’ian implements such as the ‘uli’uli, pu’ili, coconut, and ipu. This spectacular performance is one not to be missed!

John Kraus
John Andrew Kraus drove a Bigwheel. John Andrew Kraus drove a Huffy. John Andrew Kraus drove a 1984 Dodge Pick-up. John Andrew Kraus drove a bus. John Andrew Kraus drives a tall ship. John Andrew Kraus would drive a Boeing 747 if he had the time or the inclination. Does John Andrew Kraus move about the earth, or does the earth move about him? Whether parallel parking the Spirit of Dana Point in the most dire of circumstances, or hustling Englishmen at dice while on tour playing banjo and guitar in a bluegrass punk band, John Andrew Kraus parallel parks his way into our heart, and bumps our adjacent organs ever so slightly.

The Hula Connection
From Dana Point, this local dance school will feature Keike (children) and Wahine (lady) performers gracefully demonstrating the traditional dances of Hawaii.

Friday, September 10th

Tall Ships Sunset Parade from South Laguna to Dana Point Harbor
The setting sun creates a colorful backdrop as a flotilla of tall ships – truly a vision from the past – makes its way to Dana Point Harbor. Sign aboard for this extraordinary event and help us celebrate the opening of the 25th Annual Toshiba Tall Ships Festival.

Viewing available from Dana Point headlands, above Dana Point Harbor, and Old Cove Native Plant Preserve, located behind the Ocean Institute

Sunset Tall Ships Parade Tickets
Members: $35 / adults, $26 / children (4-12yrs.)
Non-members: $45 / adults, $34 / children (4-12yrs.)

Parade Escort Cruise Tickets (aboard the R/V Sea Explorer)
Members: $25 / adults, $20 / children (4-12)
Non-members: $30 / adults, $25 / children (4-12yrs.)

Saturday, September 11th

General

Baby Beach Grass Park
(On Stage)

Inside the Ocean Institute

On Board the Brig Pilgrim

Sunday, September 12th

General

Baby Beach Grass Park
(On Stage)

Inside the Ocean Institute

On Board the Brig Pilgrim