INDEPENDENCE SEAPORT MUSEUM LAUNCHES THE PHILADELPHIA SEAPORT FESTIVAL

Four Weeks of Tall Ships, Pirates and Maritime Fun on the Waterfront

Philadelphia, – Independence Seaport Museum is launching the Philadelphia Seaport Festival, a month of events and activities taking place on and around the Delaware River. The Festival kicks off Thursday, September 8^th with the arrival of the tall ship, Kalmar Nyckel, and ends with the Seaport Museum’s 4th annual Wooden Boat Festival on Saturday, October 8^th.

“Through new and existing events, we hope to bring area residents and visitors out on the water with programs that are fun for all ages,” said John Brady, interim CEO. “The Philadelphia Seaport Festival is an opportunity to experience and enjoy the Delaware River aboard small crafts, ships representative of the region and visiting tall ships.”

The Philadelphia Seaport Festival is perfect for people back from the Shore or vacations but not quite ready to say goodbye to summer. The Seaport Museum and its Boat Shop, the Workshop on the Water will be the center of the Festival, with activities in the Museum as well as outside and on the river. Visitors can also experience one of the Museum’s new walking tours, the “Real Pirates of Philadelphia” during Pirate Week, September 17^th – 24^th. Most of the events are free or included with Museum admission. Sailboat rides and special tours are available for a separate fee.

B101 and Delaware River Waterfront Corporation are proud sponsors of the Philadelphia Seaport Festival.

Philadelphia Seaport Festival Events:

September 8^th-16^th, 18^th-21^st: Delaware’s Tall Ship Kalmar Nyckel docked at the Seaport Museum. Public sails daily.

September 10^th: The 10^th annual Southeastern Pennsylvania Coast Day, presented by the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary. Free events on Penn’s Landing. Seaport Museum admission is $5 all day.

September 14^th-17^th: New Jersey’s Tall Ship AJ Meerwald docked at the Seaport Museum. Public sails daily.

September 17^th: Talk Like a Pirate Day. ARRRGH! See a pirate battle on the Delaware River, hear about real pirates of Philadelphia on a walking tour or lecture, or take a pirate sail aboard the Summer Wind. B-101 and Buzzbee will be on hand with music, games and giveaways.

September 17^th-24^th: Pirate Week. Pirate-themed sails on the Summer Wind.

September 18^th: Pirate Battle on the Delaware River. Choose sides and board your ship.

September 23^rd-27^th: Danish Tall ship Danmark docked at Penn’s Landing. Free deck tours for the public.

October 1^st: Philadelphia Cup Regatta. Watch sailboats from all over the region compete for the Philadelphia Cup. The races will conclude with the awarding of the Philadelphia Cup at the end of the day. The Philadelphia Cup trophy will be installed in the Seaport Museum and remain on permanent display.

October 7^th- 8^th: New Jersey’s Tall Ship AJ Meerwald docked at the Seaport Museum. Public sails daily.

October 8^th: 4^th Annual Wooden Boat Festival. This day-long, family-friendly event celebrates the tradition of boat building. See wooden boats, from small dinghies to the Barkentine Gazela in the basin and along the landing. Learn what makes boats float and discover the art of boat building in the Seaport Museum’s Workshop on the Water. See or ride along in a Parade of Sail on the Delaware River. B-101 and Buzzbee will be on hand with music, games and giveaways.