Current News
- Khania Curtis of New York is the official poster design competition winner for 2009
- South Carolina Organizations Support Charleston Harbor Fest 2009
- Russian Tall Ship Expected Today in Charleston with Damage to Mast
- Charleston Art Galleries Unite to Offer Exceptional Maritime Works
- Charleston Announces the first ever Harborpalooza!
- Schooner Virginia to Offer Sailing Berths During Parade of Sail
- Parachute Team and Aerobatic Pilots to Make for Excitement in the Air
- Kruzenshtern Charting a Course Towards Charleston
- NASA’s Exploration Experience to be at Charleston Harbor Fest 2009
- Charleston Eagerly Awaits Arrival of Tall Ships
- Spirit of South Carolina Offers Teens Incredible Summer Voyages Before and After Charleston Harbor Fest
Khania Curtis of New York is the official poster design competition winner for Charleston Harbor Fest 2009.
"I wanted to create an iconic image that is bright, friendly and modern, but also refers to the majestic, historic ships that are being celebrated during this wonderful event."
- Khania Curtis
This winning art was printed on thousands of t-shirts and posters for the Charleston Harbor Fest 2009 event. Stay tuned for more information about the 2010 poster design competition.
South Carolina Organizations Support Charleston Harbor Fest 2009
SC State Ports Authority and Energy City SC Are Onboard to Bring you the Tall Ships
June 22, 2009 – Charleston Harbor Fest is an event that has exploded over the last three years with audiences onsite ranging from 50,000 to nearly 100,000 expected this year. The event has become a key stimulus for tourism in Charleston during the summer. Two South Carolina organizations that have their own independent missions for economic development in South Carolina are the key financial backers of the Charleston Harbor Fest event in 2009.
“Charleston Harbor Fest 2009 would simply not be happening this year without the South Carolina State Ports Authority and Energy City SC,” said Brad Van Liew, Executive Director of the South Carolina Maritime Foundation. “Their support has been instrumental in recruiting the world’s greatest tall ships, plus exciting attractions like the air show and all the education activities for children.”
The South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA) has a keen interest in welcoming the traditional ships from afar and highlighting the importance of this region’s rich maritime heritage. As the tall ships from around the globe arrive, the sight will recall photos and centuries old paintings, depicting the days when trade ships had square-rigs and the towering masts of wooden ships were as common as container ships are today.
“Charleston Harbor Fest is a community event and we see great value in helping bring these amazing ships to South Carolina,” said Byron Miller of the SCSPA. “The waterfront is an enormous asset to this community and we want to make sure that as an entity serving the state of South Carolina, we remember not just our industrial partners, but the community at large.”
Energy City SC is a relatively new company, founded by Charlestonians Dave Harden, John H. Hofford, and Teddy Turner, with the mission of powering prosperity in South Carolina by creating energy related jobs. The company is undertaking exciting projects like waste to energy, new feedstock ethanol, and offshore wind.
“Charleston Harbor Fest is the perfect event to showcase the charm of this city and South Carolina; sailing ships, sandy beaches, friendly people, and GREAT weather,” said Harden, the company’s Executive Director. “But for South Carolina, that’s only half the story because we believe the Palmetto State has the opportunity to be the next ‘Energy Hub’ in the nation as well.”
Charleston Harbor Fest will run June 26th – 29th with 18 tall ships as the central draw, complimented by extensive attractions on land, by air and at sea. The festival grounds will boast annual favorites including Wooden Boat Display, Family Boat Building, the Education Village, Kids’ Zone with water slides, and many unique exhibitors showcasing their handmade crafts. Don’t miss the Olde Charles Towne camp where pirates will treat young and old to a taste of maritime history.
Charleston Harbor Fest is located at the Charleston Maritime Center and the Union Pier Passenger Terminal. Parking is recommended on Saturday and Sunday at free lots adjacent to the Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park with free shuttle buses running directly to the event locations. Parking is also available at a flat daily rate Friday-Sunday at four City of Charleston Garages, including SC Aquarium, Gaillard Auditorium, East Bay/Prioleau Street and the Visitors Center Garage on Meeting Street. Shuttle buses will also run for free Friday – Sunday from the Visitors Center Garage on Meeting Street to the event sites. Tickets to the event are available in advance online at www.charlestonharborfest.org. Tickets are good for all 3 days of the event for $15 in advance and $20 onsite. Children 6-17 years are $5 in advance and $10 onsite. Children 5 years and under are free.
About Energy City SC
Charleston and South Carolina have an incredible mix of talent in the areas of research, innovation, logistics, agriculture, financiers, business transformers and national and international market access. The goal of Energy City SC is to bring these forces together in an 'Energy Hub' that will launch emerging energy technologies to the marketplace. Visit www.energycitysc.com for more information.
About the SC State Ports Authority
The mission of the South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA) is to contribute to the economic development of the State of South Carolina by fostering and stimulating waterborne commerce and shipment of freight. The SCSPA owns and operates marine terminals in Charleston and Georgetown, South Carolina. These port facilities are part of the vital international trade infrastructure of the United States. Known for high productivity, South Carolina ports provide efficient access to global markets for American exporters and a secure supply chain for imported goods demanded by Americans’ high-quality of life. Visit www.port-of-charleston.com for more information.
About the South Carolina Maritime Foundation
Charleston Harbor Fest is an event of the South Carolina Maritime Foundation. Proceeds from this festival support educational programs for South Carolina youth aboard the Spirit of South Carolina tall ship. Learn more at www.scmaritime.org.
Russian Tall Ship Expected Today in Charleston with Damage to Mast
Kruzenshtern Tall Ship to Make Repairs in Preparation for Charleston Harbor Fest
June 22, 2009 - The first of many tall ships headed to Charleston is expected to arrive in the harbor today following a rough passage from Bermuda which left the ship missing the top portion of one mast. The four-masted ship, measuring 376 feet overall, is the second largest tall ship in the world and visiting Charleston for the first time. According to email reports from the captain, the ship encountered a severe thunderstorm during the sail from Bermuda to Charleston which snapped the ship’s foremast.
“The captain said that they were under a lot of power with heavy winds at the time,” said Brad Van Liew, Executive Director of the South Carolina Maritime Foundation. “The top of the lower foremast failed causing the topmast to break off with its three yards attached. He said this also caused the backstays to break and the ship is coming in as quickly as possible. Thankfully, no one is hurt and the ship expects to make swift repairs.”
The ship plans to enter the harbor and meet a pilot boat at the sea buoy. They will then transit to the south end of the commercial portion of the Union Pier Terminal operated by the SC State Ports Authority. This is a location which is suitable for the 175 ton crane which is needed to dismantle the broken mast and rigging. The first order of business will be clearing U.S. Customs as there are more than 300 cadets and crew aboard the ship.
Charleston Harbor Fest is scheduled to take place in the heart of historic Charleston June 26 – 29. This annual event is known to attract thousands of national and international visitors. However, Harbor Fest 2009 will certainly host a marked year as the festival has confirmed eighteen tall ships from all over the world, the festival’s largest fleet to date.
The tall ships are part of the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009 (TSAC), an exhilarating trans-Atlantic regatta that started in Vigo, Spain and travels to 5 ports before the finish in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Charleston is just one of two official US ports-of-call for TSAC. The other port is Boston where the tall ships will be celebrated after leaving Charleston Harbor Fest at the end of this month.
“Charleston is rich in maritime history, and because we have successfully hosted these events in the past, it made sense for the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009 (TSAC) to choose our historic city as a port-of-call. Charleston Harbor fest will offer the public a truly rare opportunity to tour and celebrate these incredible vessels”, commented Van Liew.
One of this year’s major attractions will be the Russian Kruzenshtern. At 376-feet, the four-masted barque is the second-largest sailing training ship in the world. The Kruzenshtern will be berthed at the Union Pier Passenger Terminal along with the other majestic Class A ships (the biggest in overall length). Several other tall ships will also be docked at the Charleston Maritime Center.
Not only will Charleston Harbor Fest offer a rare opportunity to tour an amazing fleet of tall ships, but the festival will also feature a unique NASA Exploration Experience, aerobatic flight demos, parachute teams and C-17 fly-bys.
Schooner Virginia to Offer Sailing Berths During Parade of Sail
The Schooner Virginia has opened up the ship for paid passengers during The Parade of Sail on Monday, June 29th. This is an exceptional opportunity to not only sail on a tall ship, but to be part of the show. The parade is a spectacular site and is the only chance here in Charleston to see the entire fleet under sail together. Click here for details on purchasing tickets.
Parachute Team and Aerobatic Pilots to Make for Excitement in the Air
The Air Show at Charleston Harbor Fest 2009 is as daring and breathtaking as the inaugural show of 2008, with the addition of several new elements. Shows take place in the morning and afternoon on Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28, 2009. Air shows run approximately one hour. Times may vary.
The Para-Commandos will perform precision freefall parachute demonstrations. The team jumps from an altitude of 12,500 feet above the ground, freefalling approximately 2 miles and reaching speeds in excess of 120 miles per hour wearing smoke canisters on their feet to make them visible to the public below. The Para-Commandos are all active duty military or Department of Defense civilians assigned to the Special Operations Command. They volunteer to serve as Para-Commandos as an additional duty, spending their weekends honing their skills and performing for the US public. The Parachute Team will land in Ansonborough Field adjacent to the Maritime Center.
Don’t miss this adventure in the sky with professional stunt pilots Michael Mancuso and Christine “CC” Gerner. They are two of the aviation world’s top aerobatic solo acts. Together, they’re among the world’s premier aerobatic formation teams. This is an action-packed show filled with thrills and excitement, and breathtaking maneuvers flying high (and low) over Charleston Harbor. See more details on the Air Show page of this site.
Second Largest Tall Ships in the World Charting a Course Towards Charleston, SC
This year’s Charleston Harbor Fest is shaping up to be the most ambitious and memorable maritime event in the city’s history. The event will open June 26, with access to docks and tours of tall ships from around the globe, and will close June 29th when a breath-taking Parade of Sail exits the Charleston harbor.
One of the most impressive additions to this year’s Harbor Fest is Russia’s Kruzenshtern, the second largest sail training tall ship in the world. The boat measures 375 feet long and boasts a traditional four masted barque rig. It is a breath-taking sight when under full sail. The beloved Kruzenshtern’s distinctive black and white sides make her easy to recognize. This pattern is common on ships that once traded with the East, since the design imitates gunports and scares away pirates.
Kruzenshtern will join the rest of the tall ship fleet in Vigo, Spain, for the start of the 7,000 nautical mile ocean odyssey, following the traditional trading route of sailing ships over the centuries and taking full advantage of prevailing winds, which should provide spectacular racing conditions.
The Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge will involve some 30 – 50 ships from Europe, the USA, Canada and Latin America. The seven ports that form the Challenge will offer a chance for the public to view these spectacular ships, while anyone with a sense of adventure and some time on their hands can get on board to race across the Atlantic in a once in a lifetime experience.
The race starts in Vigo, Spain on April 30th, and will make three stops before arriving in Charleston, SC. The race then winds its way north and ends in Halifax, Canada July 16th before the final Atlantic crossing eastwards back to Belfast, UK on August 13.
Tickets will be required to gain access to the Charleston area docks and to board the ships are now available for purchase. First-rate VIP packages are also being offered. To buy tickets visit the Ticket page of this website.
NASA’s Exploration Experience to be at Charleston Harbor Fest 2009
Charleston Harbor Fest is not just about sailing ships, pirates and the lore of the sea. We like to say “if it is on, in, above or near the harbor, it is part of this grand celebration.” Charleston Harbor Fest has just confirmed that NASA’s Exploration Experience will be onsite at the event, along with a host of other modern attractions sure to entertain the whole family. Additionally a NASA astronaut will be onsite to visit with those young and old. NASA’s Exploration Experience is an interactive traveling exhibit that inspires visitors as they embark on a simulated journey into space.
The journey begins with a simulated visit to the moon, the earliest destination in America’s next great era of exploration. Interactive control panels and activity stations, immersive video imagery, and audio effects will plunge visitors into a not-too-distant future on the moon’s surface. The exhibit demonstrates what it will be like to live and work on other worlds and explore the benefits these expeditions might reap here on Earth. Come touch a moon rock!
For more information visit: http://outreach.msfc.nasa.gov
NASA Exploration Experience (pdf)
Charleston Eagerly Awaits Arrival of Tall Ships
This year’s Charleston Harbor Fest is shaping up to be the most ambitious and memorable maritime event in the city’s history. The event will open June 26, with access to docks and tours of tall ships from around the globe, and will close June 29th when a breath-taking Parade of Sail exits the Charleston harbor.
More than twelve ships, ranging in size from 56 to 295 feet have already been confirmed. Many more are expected. These vessels, hailing from France, England, Germany, The Netherlands, Bermuda, and the United States, will dock at the Charleston Maritime Center and the Union Pier Passenger Terminal. The event’s focus is on the water, but boasts attractions on land, by air and at sea.
• Land: wooden boat display, living history exhibit, pirates, family boat building, interactive education village and conservation displays
• Air: Aerobatic flight demos, helicopter rides, other exciting news to be announced soon.
• Sea: Tall Ships, free sailing lessons, harbor tours. America’s tall ship, the U.S. Coast Guard Barque Eagle will be on display. It is the only active and operational commissioned sailing vessel in the U.S. maritime services. Captain Chris Sinnet is a South Carolina native and is the Eagle’s current Commanding Officer of this vessel that serves as a seagoing classroom for approximately 175 cadets and instructors from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
Tickets will be required to gain access to the docks and to board the ships, and VIP packages will be available. There will be unique sailing opportunities onboard the tall ships for adults to cruise from Charleston to Boston at a passenger rate. Additionally, a student program for teens is being developed for sailing on the Spirit of South Carolina from Bermuda to Charleston with partial scholarships available.
Bus shuttles will also be available for convenient transport during the festival.
Charleston Harbor Fest is an event of the South Carolina Maritime Foundation. Proceeds from Charleston Harbor Fest support the Spirit of South Carolina, a tall ship offering effective, unique educational opportunities for the students of South Carolina. These programs focus on the history, math, science and literature of South Carolina's water resources, and encourage personal responsibility, contribution to community and stewardship of the environment.
Spirit of South Carolina Offers Teens Incredible Summer Voyages Before and After Charleston Harbor Fest
Leave all your preconceived notions of summer camp behind. The ultimate adventure awaits teens this summer on three outrageous opportunities to sail aboard the Spirit of South Carolina. A true cultural exchange will take students from Bermuda and the U.S. on a journey with the entire majestic fleet of Tall Ships from Bermuda to Charleston as part of the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009 series. The next voyage takes students from Charleston to the historic port of Mystic, Connecticut. Finally a third group of students will have the incredible opportunity to cruise aboard the Spirit of South Carolina, exploring the coast of Maine. Learn more about these programs at www.spiritoceanadventure.com and stay tuned for further opportunities for adult passages.
