With the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 happening this year, officials say they believe an armada of historic replica will attract up to 50,000 visitors to the village this Memorial Day Weekend.
Greenport Trustee David Murray approached Board members at Tuesday’s work session with Chief Martin Flatley about the event and a plan to deal with the ensuing traffic it will produce. The village hosted a similar Tall Ship event in 2004 with financial help from an I Love New York grant, which helped offset the costs of the appearance fees of the boats — which range from $20,000 to $40,000 each.
But the village does not have that grant this year, which is why visitors will have to pay an admission fee of $8 to tour the boats this time around.
“This will be a huge event for the village, and support is tremendous,” Murray said. “Yes, it’s costing the village a good amount of money but we’re working on sponsorships and we will charge admission.”
Murray said that the event won’t be a “huge drinking event” like the tends to be in late September every year, but the traffic plan will be about the same. The village has already contracted six boats to sail up from Savanna, Ga., and two others are coming for free, Murray said.
The Tall Ships will stay docked in the village for the three days of the long Memorial Day weekend, and the village is also planning activities for that Friday night.
Online tickets are available. Adults are $7 and children under 12 are free. Seniors are $5. Tickets are meant only to offset appearance fees.
Click here to learn more about the Tall Ships of America.
With reporting by Sandy Martocchia.
My name is Craig Eaton can soneone please tell me where there Tall Ship's comeing to Nova Scotia in July that are not from eather the USA or Canada, or are there some one's that i do not knjow abouth?.
Tickets went on sail in late March at 7$ all the way up to May 15th. The $15 adult price went into effect roughly 10 days ago and if you went online you would have found a $15 adult price with kids coming free. If you are indeed a native, with all the hubbub about this event, with the constant prompts to "buy online in advance and save", I would rather think that you would stay silent on the subject and hide your embarrassment.
So your beef is that while others are and were paying, you should go for free? Noted.
The docks are public property, what's next pay to use the sidewalks?
Why don't you just relax a bit and watch families having a good time and kids playing pirate. The Village is alive and vibrant. Don't be such a Scrooge.
As to the rest of your sentiments and to playing on comments and the docks, I note from your comment that you are "on the way" to Greenport so not local but you have been and are encouraged to roam the docks at will with no fee on most days. I am glad you are coming to the Village and hope you enjoy it.