Majestic tall ships sail along Chicago’s lakefront
The Tall Ships Chicago summer festival began today at Navy Pier in Chicago, with a fog adding mood to the scene of majestic structures.
The Parade of Sail, featuring 14 ships took place Wednesday afternoon in front of a throng of spectators along the lakefront who got to see a sailing race, too.
The Chicago Match Cup began with 12 teams from seven nations racing alongside the Tall Ships. The six-day race comes with $100,000 in prize money and is the only U.S. stop on the Alpari World Match Racing Tour.
The Tall Ships festival also runs through Sunday. Next up on the schedule is the Crew Welcome Walk at 11 a.m. Thursday. Crew members from each participating ship will gather at the entrance to Dock Street and walk east to wards the entrance of the Tall Ships® Chicago 2013 festival grounds accompanied by a marching band.
Live entertainment and activities for kids, such as a radio-controlled boat pond, will be featured throughout the festival. And fest goers can get a glimpse into Chicago’s maritime past with a display of historic photographs from the Chicago Maritime Museum and learn about the War of 1812 through artifacts and a dynamic explanation of events.
Tickets run from $4, and you can buy more expensive tickets to get dockside or take cruises.