CLEVELAND — The 2019 Cleveland Tall Ships Festival will bring 11 traditionally rigged tall ships to downtown Cleveland from July 11-14 on the waterfront.
But you don’t need to know the difference between a brig and schooner to enjoy yourself. Captain Tiffany Krihwan of the Denis Sullivan has a 24-year career sailing tall ships on the Great Lakes.
We spoke with her for advice on how to get most out of the Tall Ships Festival.
Tip 1: Ask questions
Don’t be afraid to approach the on-board crew.
“They are here to educate everyone about why we do what we do, why we are keeping history alive,” encouraged Krihwan. “It’s not just sailing these boats that is keeping history alive, it’s maintaining these vessels that is keeping history alive. There is a lot of maintenance that goes into these vessels that are old world skills that are not all that prevalent anymore.”
Tip 2: Stay hydrated
“There are so many people who want to see these vessels, the lines get a little bit long,” Krihwan said.
But don’t bring water, it won’t be allowed in the festival.
“If you can’t bring it on a plane, you can’t bring it on a ship,” reminds Heather Holmes, VP of Marketing for the Downtown Cleveland Alliance, the group organizing the event. Along with food vendors, Holmes says there will be live entertainment, pirate characters, arts and crafts and even a rock wall.
Tip 3: Come early.
Gates open to the public starting at 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. July 12-14.
Tip 4: Be ready for the weather
The festival grounds are exposed to the elements and there will be limited areas of shade and cover. You can bring an umbrella, but you can’t bring it onto any of the tall ships due to limited space. You will be able to bring a 3-ounce travel size bottle of sunscreen into the festival.
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