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Charleston Harbor Fest

The Post and Courier

Spirit of South Carolina

Rig: Schooner
Homeport: Charleston
Sparred length: 140 feet
Draft: 10 feet
Hull: Wood

PROVIDED

Freedom Schooner Amistad

Rig: Topsail schooner
Homeport: New Haven, Conn.
Sparred length: 129 feet
Draft: 10 feet, 6 inches
Hull: Wood

PROVIDED

Schooner Virginia

Rig: Gaff topsail knockabout schooner, two-masted
Homeport: Norfolk, Va.
Sparred length: 126 feet
Draft: 12 feet, 3 inches
Hull: Wood

PROVIDED

Corwith Cramer

Rig: Brigantine
Homeport: Woods Hole, Maine
Sparred length: 134 feet
Draft: 13 feet
Hull: Steel

The Post and Courier

It's gone through more name changes than P Diddy (or is it just Diddy?), but nothing seems to prevent the Charleston Harbor Fest from wowing Lowcountry boat fanatics year after year.

Beginning Friday and running through Sunday, the event, formerly known as the Maritime Festival, will sail into town bringing with it a weekend filled with all things "boat."

That's right, there will be tall boats, small boats, wooden boats, steel boats, boat building, boat art, boat rowing, boat voting and, of course, boat-ing lessons. Add to that airplanes doing aerobatics, professional wakeboarders performing jumps in the water and pirates as FARRRRR (sorry about that) as the eye can see and you've got yourself one good time for the entire family.

So be sure to check out one of these events going on this weekend at Ansonborough Field, Liberty Square and the Charleston Maritime Center downtown, as well as Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant.

Tall ship tours, Charleston Maritime Center docks

The marquee event of Harbor Fest are the tall ships. Check out the Freedom Schooner Amistad, the Schooner Virginia, Corwith Cramer and our very own Spirit of South Carolina. Check them out from the docks for free or purchase a wristband to go on board. (Note: The Corwith Cramer will be closed on Sunday.)

Pirate Camp, Ansonborough Field

Learn everything you ever wanted to know when real pirates invade Ansonborough Field.

Check out pirate re-enactors all weekend as they strive for as much authenticity as possible in their camp. From their clothes to their equipment, everything is as authentic as you can get. The camp will even operate without electricity or running water.

More than 50 pirates from as far off as Pennsylvania will be in camp this year, buckling their swashes, or whatever it is pirates do when they're in camp. Activities include cannon firing demonstrations, a costume contest and a pirate parade.

Shadow Players, Charleston Maritime Center

If you prefer your swordfighting without all the B.O., be sure to check out the Shadow Players Stage Combat Group. See knights battling in a broadsword tournament, Renaissance-era swashbucklers using their rapiers in a duel of honor or Jedi knights battling the dark side with their lightsabers.

Children's Villages, Ansonborough Field, Patriots Point

While one could argue that the real buried treasure is getting rid of your kids for 30 minutes, this year's Children's Village at Ansonborough Field features, among other things, a buried treasure search. There will also be knot tying, several inflatables including a jump castle, boatmaking, face painting and balloon art, just to name a few of the activities. Also, be sure to check out the other village at Patriots Point where kids can climb a rock wall, joust one another and design a model plane.

Maritime Village, Charleston Maritime Center

Peruse traditional maritime arts and crafts at the Maritime Village. On display and for sale will be paintings, drawings, photography, model ships, ships in bottles and more. Also check out the entries from the wooden boat competition and then vote on your favorite. There will be 33 boats on display, including a 48-foot schooner and 55-foot wooden catamaran with luminescent deck.

Sailing lessons, Charleston Maritime Center docks

Attention budding harbor pilots: Learn how to sail FOR FREE. That's right, Ocean Sailing Academy is offering free lessons to those who sign up at the tent just outside the Maritime Center. Lessons are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so get there early for your chance to participate in one of the 30- to 40-minute sessions.

Mosquito Fleet, Charleston Maritime Center docks

If you think real boating is muscle-powered versus wind-powered, check out the traditional Mosquito Fleet. Grab an oar and paddle with all your might while learning the history of traditional African American boatbuilders.

Family boat building, Charleston Maritime Center

If your idea of family fun is getting together with your spouse and kids, laughing for a few minutes, which then turns into yelling, followed by a really awkward 10 minutes when nobody is speaking to one another, then laughing again when Dad finally admits that Mom was right, the open part of the boat should be facing UP, then you need to sign up for family boatbuilding.

Don't worry parents, volunteers with actual boatbuilding experience will be on hand to assist. For those of you not participating, the best part is watching Sunday when all the participants will launch their boats for a test run at 2:30 p.m.

Water Action Village Expo (WAVE), Patriots Point

With helicopter harbor tours, aerobatic demonstrations, long board and kiteboard demos and more extreme water sports, WAVE is sure to have something for every water sports enthusiast.

The highlight of the expo that will take place at Patriots Point is "Rail Jam," a wakeboard and wakeskate demonstration. Inside a 160-foot-long portable pool, professional riders will be towed by a gas-powered winch to high speed so that they can perform tricks and jumps. The pool will also be used for kayak demos and children's kayak experiences throughout the festival.

Education Village, Liberty Square

Local organizations and groups will share their mission through hands-on interactive activities throughout the duration of the festival in the education tent at Liberty Square. Patrons can learn how to make a fish print, maneuver an underwater vehicle, explore a salt marsh, try their hand at knot tying and much more.

Some of the participating organizations include South Carolina Educational Television, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration, the South Carolina Aquarium, Gullah-Geechee Nation, the Youth Learning Institute, Charleston Kids with Cameras and the National Weather Service.

Aerobatic flight demos, over Charleston Harbor

Two planes will be flying high above Charleston Harbor in a looping aerobatic demonstration that promises to be a spectacular visual experience. Check the planes out from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier Yorktown (a separate ticket is required for entry to the Yorktown) or watch for free from the WAVE grounds. Showtimes run roughly 30-45 minutes. For video of what to expect, check out www.mmairshows.com.

Helicopter tours, Patriots Point

Get a bird's eye view of Charleston Harbor by taking a helicopter harbor tour. Each flight will leave Patriots Point and then circle over the harbor, Battery and downtown Charleston. Flights are $20 per person. Only two people can fly at a time, so sign up early. (Note: This is a first-come, first-served event.)

Harbor Fest 2008

THURSDAY

6:30-7:30 p.m.: Parade of sail. This is the first public viewing of ships. The best view will be from Sullivan's Island, where the four boats will meet, and then come into the Maritime Center docks.

FRIDAY

Downtown

10 a.m.-5 p.m.: The tall ships are open. Free to access docks, but a wristband is required to board. Charleston Maritime Center docks.

11 a.m.: Queen Quet, chieftess of the Gullah-Geechee nation. Education Village, Liberty Square.

11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: Live music. Ansonborough Field.

Noon: Spirit Knot Tiers ropemaking demo. Education Village, Liberty Square.

Noon: Cannon firing demo. Pirate Camp, Ansonborough Field.

2 p.m.: Spirit Knot Tiers ropemaking demo. Education Village, Liberty Square.

2 p.m.: Cannon firing demo. Pirate Camp, Ansonborough Field.

2-5 p.m.: Live music. Ansonborough Field.

3 p.m.: Pirate costume contest/ parade. Meet at Maritime Center, parade to Pirate Camp.

3 p.m.: Animal antics by the S.C. Aquarium. Education Village, Liberty Square.

4 p.m.: Cannon firing demo. Pirate Camp, Ansonborough Field.

Mount Pleasant

(NOTE: All events at Patriots Point.)

10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Live music.

10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Helicopter harbor tours available. $20 per person.

10:15 a.m.: Kayak rolling demo.

10:30 a.m.: Kayak tryout for kids.

Noon: "Rail Jam" extreme wakeboarding demo.

1 p.m.: "Rail Jam" extreme wakeboarding demo.

3 p.m.: "Rail Jam" extreme wakeboarding demo.

4 p.m.: "Rail Jam" extreme wakeboarding demo.

SATURDAY

Downtown

9 a.m.: Family boat building begins. Charleston Maritime Center.

9 a.m.: Pirate walk begins from Ansonborough Field through Market Street to Powder Magazine Building, Cumberland and Church streets.

9:30-10 a.m.: Pirates overtake the Redcoats and free pirates from the Powder Magazine Building.

10 a.m.: Anita Singleton-Prather as Aunt Pearlie-Sue. Education Village, Liberty Square.

10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Harbor Fest Treasure Quest. Liberty Square.

10 a.m.-5 p.m.: The tall ships are open. Free to access docks, but a wristband is required to board. Charleston Maritime Center docks.

11 a.m.: Reading by children's author Merrie Southgate. Education Village, Liberty Square.

11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: Live music. Ansonborough Field.

Noon: Cannon firing demo. Pirate Camp, Ansonborough Field.

Noon: North Charleston Dance and Drum Company Djole accompanied by international performing artist from Ghana, "Powerful." Education Village, Liberty Square.

1 p.m.: Sea Shanties with Ray Haggerty. Education Village, Liberty Square.

2 p.m.: Cannon firing demo. Pirate Camp, Ansonborough Field.

2 p.m.: Queen Quet, chieftess of the Gullah-Geechee nation. Education Village, Liberty Square.

2-5 p.m.: Live music. Ansonborough Field.

3 p.m.: Pirate costume contest/parade. Meet at Maritime Center, parade to Pirate Camp.

3 p.m.: Animal antics by the S.C. Aquarium. Education Village, Liberty Square.

3:45 p.m.: Anita Singleton-Prather as Aunt Pearlie-Sue. Education Village, Liberty Square.

4 p.m.: Cannon firing demo. Pirate Camp, Ansonborough Field.

6-8 p.m.: Wooden Boat Awards ceremony. Charleston Maritime Center.

Mount Pleasant

(NOTE: All events at Patriots Point.)

10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Live music.

10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Helicopter harbor tours available. $20 per person.

10:15 a.m.: Kayak rolling demo.

10:30 a.m.: Kayak tryout for kids.

11:15 a.m.-noon: Aerobatic flight demo.

Noon: "Rail Jam" extreme wakeboarding demo.

1 p.m.: "Rail Jam" extreme wakeboarding demo.

2-2:45 p.m.: Aerobatic flight demo.

3 p.m.: "Rail Jam" extreme wakeboarding demo.

4 p.m.: "Rail Jam" extreme wakeboarding demo.

SUNDAY

Downtown

10 a.m.: Queen Quet, chieftess of the Gullah-Geechee nation. Education Village, Liberty Square.

10 a.m.-5 p.m.: The tall ships are open. Free to access docks, but a wristband is required to board Charleston Maritime Center docks. (NOTE: The Corwith Cramer will be closed today.)

11 a.m.: Spirit Knot Tiers ropemaking demo. Education Village, Liberty Square.

11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: Live music. Ansonborough Field.

Noon: North Charleston Dance and Drum Company Djole accompanied by international performing artist from Ghana, "Powerful." Education Village, Liberty Square.

Noon: Cannon firing demo. Pirate Camp, Ansonborough Field.

1 p.m.: Pirate costume contest/ parade. Meet at Maritime Center, parade to Pirate Camp.

1 p.m.: Sea Shanties with Ray Haggerty. Education Village, Liberty Square.

2 p.m.: Cannon firing demo. Pirate Camp, Ansonborough Field.

2 p.m.: Queen Quet, chieftess of the Gullah-Geechee nation. Education Village, Liberty Square.

2-5 p.m.: Live music. Ansonborough Field.

2:30 p.m.: Family boat building parade/launch. Charleston Maritime Center Basin.

3 p.m.: Animal antics by the S.C. Aquarium. Education Village, Liberty Square.

3 p.m.: Cannon firing demo. Pirate Camp, Ansonborough Field.

3:45 p.m.: Anita Singleton-Prather as Aunt Pearlie-Sue. Education Village, Liberty Square.

Mount Pleasant

(NOTE: All events at Patriots Point.)

10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Live music.

10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Helicopter harbor tours available. $20 per person.

10:30 a.m.: Kayak tryout for kids.

11:15 a.m.-noon: Aerobatic flight demo.

Noon: "Rail Jam" extreme wakeboarding demo.

1 p.m.: "Rail Jam" extreme wakeboarding demo.

1:30 p.m.: Kayak gear demo.

2-2:45 p.m.: Aerobatic flight demo.

3 p.m.: "Rail Jam" extreme wakeboarding demo.

4 p.m.: "Rail Jam" extreme wakeboarding demo.

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