Charleston Harbor Fest 2009

The Charleston Harbor Fest pays homage to the first sailors who came to Charleston back when ships were wood and powered by wind. It also focuses on the maritime industry of the present and ends up being one of the best family friendly festivals. You can tour the tall ships, replicas of the ones from long ago, build your own boat, take a free sailing lesson or ride on a tall ship all the way to Boston.

The tall ships come from the four corners of the world, making the Charleston Harbor Fest a true international celebration. So far the ships that have confirmed they are coming are the Spirit of South Carolina, from Charleston a Two-masted Schooner, the Kruzenshtern from Russia, a
Four-Masted Barque, the Belle Poule from France, a Schooner, the Capitan Miranda from France, a Staysail Schooner, the U.S.C.G. Barque EAGLE, the Etoile from France, a Gaff Schooner, the Europa from The Netherlands a Barque, the Jolie Brise from the United Kingdom, a Gaff Cutter, the Peter von Danzig from Germany, a sloop, the Rona II from the United Kingdom a Ketch, the Schooner Virginia from Virginia, a Two-masted Schooner, the Spirit of Bermuda from Bermuda, a Three-masted Schooner, the Urania from The Netherlands, a Ketch, the Fazisi from New York, a Bm Slop, the Mircea from Romania, a Barque 3, The Pride of Baltimore II from Maryland, a Topsail Schooner, the Tecla from The Netherlands, a Gaff Ketch 2 and the Xsaar from Belgium, a Bm Sloop.

With the Family Boat Building, expert volunteers will guide you and your family as you make your own row boat. This event is limited to the first 10 families, so get your application in early. The boats are built on Saturday and on Sunday the boats are launched. This one costs $500, but you get to keep the boat and all the accessories.

At the Kids' Zone the kids can build their own sailboat, learn to tie a monkey's fist, jump in a giant inflated castle and look for buried treasure. If they come dressed as pirates, they get a special gift.

The Education Village has hands on activities for all ages. You can make a fish print, run an underwater vehicle, explore a salt marsh and learn to tie different knots. There will also be a special section about how pollution affects the community

There will also be a air show featuring a Parachute Team, Aerobatic Flight Demos and a C-17 Fly-by. There will also be a special exhibit from NASA.

Charleston Harbor Fest 2009
Charleston South Carolina 29401
June 26-29, 2009