CAMDEN, N.J., June 30, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Tall Ships from throughout Europe and the Americas arrived at the Camden Waterfront in Camden, New Jersey and Penn's Landing in Philadelphia today for the Two Cities-One Waterfront ASTA Tall Ships Challenge(r), a maritime-themed festival occurring Thursday, July 1st through Sunday, July 4th.
Ships ranging from 40-213 feet-long representing nations from around the world and the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Rhode Island, Virginia and New York, raced into the Delaware River to compete for the coveted Tall Ships Challenge trophy before docking. The trophy will be presented tonight to the winning crew at a special ceremony and orientation to welcome them to the region.
Ships that docked at the Camden Waterfront are:
The Tenacious of Southampton, UK, a 213-foot, three-masted barque, and the largest wooden tall ship of her kind to be built in Great Britain this century. She sails around the world with a crew of both able-bodied and disabled people who voyage together with the assistance of signs in Braille, power-assisted hydraulic steering, and several places for wheelchairs to be stored during rough weather.
The Unicorn, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, a topsail schooner that was originally used for a fishing vessel and converted into a sailing ship in 1979. She is currently owned and operated by Dawn and Jay Santamaria and a professional crew. She sails the waters of the Great Lakes, Atlantic and Caribbean while offering sail training programs.
The Zenobe Gramme of Belgium, a ketch that was built in 1961 in the BOEL shipyards in Temse. She was an oceanographic research vessel but is now used as a training and public relations vessel. She is named after the inventor of the dynamo, Belgian Zenobe Gramme. Her famous spinnaker bears the coat of arms of the Belgium royal family.
The Woiee of Rhode Island, was built in Eastport, Maine in 1918 as a sailing fishing vessel with a small gasoline engine that later served as an offshore lobster boat and dragger. Modernized by her present owner, she is now an award-winning private yacht with varnished teak, brass and oriental rugs.
The Serenity of Virginia, a two-masted gaff schooner from Cape Charles that was built in 1986. She sails out of historic Cape Charles Harbor into the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and caters to groups of all ages interested in sail training, maritime history and the Chesapeake Bay.
The Norseman of Delaware, a Viking longship that was built in 1992 and offers visitors a glimpse at Viking culture and reminds them of the part Vikings played in history. She sails the waters of the East Coast of the United States from her homeport of Wilmington, Delaware, and will be docked at the Camden Waterfront for a special landside exhibit featuring crew members dressed in Viking costumes.
New Jersey's official tall ship, the AJ Meerwald, is an authentically restored 1928 Delaware Bay oyster schooner that sails from her homeport of Bivalve, New Jersey to cities and coastal towns throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, the Chesapeake and the Northeast Atlantic Seaboard to serve as a floating classroom to teach on environmental issues and the culture and history of New Jersey's Bayshore region.
The Grand Nellie of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, was built in 1998 and is a topsail schooner. She is a classic schooner and offers tall ship sailing experiences for beginner to advanced sailors of all ages and abilities through offshore and multiple day voyages.
Both the AJ Meerwald and the Grand Nellie will host day and evening sails between 7 - 9 a.m. and 6 - 8 p.m. Tickets may be purchased aboard each ship.
Ships docking at Penn's Landing include:
Pennsylvania's Gazela Philadelphia, a century-old barquentine that was built in Setubal, Portugal in 1901 as a Grand Banks of Newfoundland fishing vessel. Her homeport is now Philadelphia where she is owned and operated by the Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild. The Gazela sails as a Goodwill ambassador for the City of Philadelphia, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Ports of Philadelphia and Camden, New Jersey.
The Lettie G. Howard of New York, an American two-masted gaff topsail schooner with a homeport in New York City. She was built in 1893 in Massachusetts and has since been rebuilt and restored and is now outfitted to accommodate trainees on educational cruises.
The Pogoria, a Polish barquentine with a homeport of Gdynia, Poland. Pogoria is the first completed design for a square-rigger by Polish naval architect Zygmunt Choren. She was built for the Steel Workers Union in 1980 and is now the flagship of the Polish Sail Training Association in Gdansk.
The Iskra, a Polish barquentine that is named for the historically important Polish schooner of the early twentieth century. Her official name is ORP Iskra (Officers Reserve of Poland) in honor of the Westerplattes Heroes Naval Academy of Gdynia whom she represents. She was also designed by Zygmunt Choren and represents the Republic of Poland on official visits.
The Tugboat Jupiter will also join the event. Built in the Philadelphia shipyard of Neafie and Levy in 1902, the tug was involved during World War II in the launching of the numerous naval vessels from the shipyards along the Delaware River. Her homeport is Philadelphia where she is now owned by the Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild which bought the tug and includes it in educational programs, festivals and boat parades.
Visitors of the Two Cities-One Waterfront ASTA Tall Ships Challenge(r) will enjoy tours of each ship that will be open to the public daily between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. along with a variety of activities coordinated to celebrate the historic port visit and Independence Day including fireworks, music, food and arts & craft exhibits that include face-painting, a treasure-dig and other pirate-themed games for families.
Tickets for a one-day pass will be sold daily from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on a first-come/first-served basis. Prices are $5 for adults and children over the age of 3 and FREE for children under 3. Visitors may also purchase a special one-day pass for $10 that includes tours of the ships and a roundtrip ride aboard the RiverLink Ferry which connects Penn's Landing and the Camden Waterfront for easy access to both sides of the festival.
Wristbands purchased for tours of the ships also grant access to a $2 discount off general admission to New Jersey State Aquarium, Battleship New Jersey and Independence Seaport Museum throughout the four days.
Additional activities planned throughout the event include:
Thursday, July 1st The Great Plaza at Penn's Landing hosts the Y100 Brings the Rock to You Concert from 7-9 p.m., part of a music series that brings local and up-and-coming rock bands to a new generation of Penn's Landing visitors.
Penn's Landing hosts the Celebrate Mickey 75th Anniversary statue tour through July 20th, a traveling exhibit featuring more than 15 statues, each 6-feet tall. Visit the statues in Walnut Plaza adjacent to the Riverlink Ferry terminal at Penn's Landing.
Friday, July 2nd New Jersey State Aquarium hosts Ships & Sharks from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., a hearty hi - ho as the Tall Ships Challenge makes its way to the Waterfront this July! For the little Master and Commander in the house, there will be demonstrations by the United States Coast Guard and Liberty Sailing Club, along with crafts and guest speakers.
The sixth annual Super Scooper Ice Cream Festival from Noon - 5 p.m. at Festival Pier at Penn's Landing takes place through Sunday, July 4th. Enjoy all-you-can-eat ice cream for just $5. Proceeds benefit the Joshua Kahan Fund to fight Pediatric Leukemia.
Stay late for a free concert featuring musical acts Cintron at Wiggins Park and Rose Royce and GQ at the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing followed by the best fireworks show in the region presented by the Battleship New Jersey, part of the annual favorite Two City/Two State Fireworks. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. immediately followed by the fireworks show.
The New Jersey State Aquarium will extend their hours and re-open from 7-10 p.m. to host live music and a DJ from 92.5WXTU to create the perfect setting to catch the fireworks. Arrive early for a special price of $7 after 7pm and enjoy the best view of this spectacular show. No advance tickets will be sold and space is limited.
Join Governors James E. McGreevey of New Jersey and Edward G. Rendell of Pennsylvania as they celebrate the Fourth of July weekend with the Battleship Blast, an annual fundraiser aboard the "Big J" including dinner, cocktails, dancing and entertainment - capped off with the best view of the Two Cities/Two State Fireworks display over the Delaware River! Ticket prices range from $250 - $500 per person. For tickets call 856-966-1652 ext. 232.
Tweeter Center hosts a concert featuring Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire from 7:30 p.m. - 11 p.m. Ticket prices range from $22.75 - $77.75.
Saturday, July 3rd Enjoy a behind-the-scenes-tour of WWII Submarine BECUNA at Independence Seaport Museum from Noon to 1 p.m. Visit areas normally off limits to the public, including the conning tower, sonar room, and captain's cabin. View the large batteries that powered the sub while underwater and speak with submarine veterans about their experiences in the "Silent Service." Reservations recommended, call 215.413.8658.
Independence Seaport Museum hosts Pirates!, a hands-on discovery program for children from Noon - 5 p.m. through Sunday, July 4th. Included with the price of admission, the program features the sights, sounds and smells of a journey on the high seas aboard the deck of a recreated pirate ship.
Sunday, July 4th The Battleship will host a memorial to all military and patriots who gave their life to our great nation. A wreath ceremony will take place on the Battleship at approximately 12:15 pm. All guests touring the ship are invited to attend this event on the forecastle (forward deck).
Tweeter center hosts Jessica Simpson with Ryan Cabrera at 7:30 p.m.
Guests boarding participating ships of the Two Cities-One Waterfront ASTA Tall Ships Challenge(r) 2004 are encouraged to wear flat, rubber-soled shoes as NO HIGH HEELS WILL BE PERMITTED. While photographs and videotaping are permitted, visitors will not be allowed to board with large bags or packages and will be subjected to random security checks to ensure public safety.
Due to the large crowds expected to attend these events this holiday weekend, visitors of the Two Cities-One Waterfront ASTA Tall Ships Challenge(r) 2004 are encouraged to take advantage of public transportation available via the RiverLink Ferry, PATCO Speedline and the new River LINE light rail system.
The RiverLink Ferry runs between the Camden Waterfront and Penn's Landing and has parking available on both sides of the river. It runs from 9:00 a.m. to 5:40 p.m. every twenty minutes, all for the low price of $6 for adults, $5 for seniors age 65 & up and children ages 3-12. Children under the age of three ride FREE.
PATCO Speedline offers fast, comfortable and reliable alternatives to traffic congestion and parking fees around-the-clock and every day of the week with connections to SEPTA, via its four stops in Center City Philadelphia, and NJ Transit, at its nine stops in New Jersey. Tickets can be purchased at each station with prices ranging from $1.30 to $2.45 based upon the distance you travel.
The River LINE rail service is new from NJ Transit and connects Trenton to Camden. It operates from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, Sundays and major holidays and from 6 a.m. to midnight on Saturdays for a fee of $1.10 per person for one-way travel. It will extend its hours during the holiday. For an up-to-date schedule log onto www.riverline.com
The Two Cities-One Waterfront ASTA Tall Ships Challenge(r) 2004 is being coordinated in cooperation with American Sail Training Association (ASTA), a non-profit organization devoted to the development, support and promotion of sail training and education under sail, especially for youth.
Annually ASTA organizes sail races, rallies, cruises and port festivals in conjunction with host ports in the United States and Canada. Its visit to the Camden Waterfront and Penn's Landing is part of an ongoing race up the eastern seaboard that began June 10th in Jacksonville, FL, and journeyed to Charleston, SC June 17th - 20th before its stop in Camden and Philadelphia. Following the Two Cities-One Waterfront Tall Ships Challenge in the greater Philadelphia region, ASTA will visit the ports of Greenport, NY (July 8-11); Newport, RI (July 16-19); New London, CT (July 22-25); Halifax, NS (July 29 - August 2); and St. John, New Brunswick (August 12-15). For more details visit www.tallships.sailtraining.org
Two Cities-One Waterfront ASTA Tall Ships Challenge(r) 2004 is co-hosted by Camden Waterfront Marketing Bureau and Penn's Landing Corporation through the support of the Delaware River Port Authority and PATCO, Camden County, South Jersey Port Corporation, Coopers Ferry Development Corporation, Coca Cola and KYW. For event details and information about discounts to waterfront attractions log onto www.2cities1waterfront.com or call 856-757-9400.
Perfectly located along the scenic Delaware River just one mile from Philadelphia's historic district, the Camden Waterfront abounds with world-class cultural attractions, history, concerts and festivals, offering a variety of ways to spend a memorable day on the river all year long. For more information about the events or attractions listed in this release, contact the Camden Waterfront Marketing Bureau at 856-757-9400 or log onto www.camdenwaterfront.com
Penn's Landing is Philadelphia's Waterfront district, running along Columbus Boulevard from Washington Avenue to Spring Garden Street. The two main sites for the more than 75 festivals, concerts, and events at Penn's Landing are Great Plaza, located along the Delaware River at Columbus Boulevard and Chestnut Street, and Festival Pier, on Columbus Boulevard and Spring Garden Street. For more information please log onto www.pennslandingcorp.com
Tall Ships(r), TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE(r) and the sailing ship logo are registered trademarks and service marks owned by the American Sail Training Association (ASTA). ASTA annually organizes Tall Ships Events, a National Conference on Sail Training and Tall Ships, and in conjunction with the ISTA, an International Safety Forum attended by tall Ship captains from throughout the world. For more information about ASTA visit www.tallships.sailtraining.org
The Penn's Landing Corporation logo is available at: http://media.primezone.com/prs/single/?pkgid=349