Photo by Rocky Ross
THE ARRIVAL OF THE IMPRESSIVE HMS BOUNTY WAS A REAL SHOWSTOPPER AT TALL SHIPS, AS MANY RECOGNIZED HER FROM THE 1960 FILM “MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY” AND “PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN II.”
After months of anticipation, Tall Ships 2008 finally arrived in Tacoma in all its full-sail glory. Organizers estimate that during the five-day festival, which ran from July 3-7, hundreds of thousands of people wound their way along Thea Foss Waterway to take part in the many events offered in three themed villages along the shoreline. On July 4 alone, one day into the festival, Foss Waterway Seaport counted 14,000 visitors, a higher number than what was calculated during the same timeframe at Tall Ships 2005.
Tall Ships 2008 opened with the Parade of Sail, when all of the nearly 30 ships participating in the festival made their final voyage to Tacoma from Quartermaster Harbor on Vashon Island. Members of the Puyallup Tribe gave a traditional greeting, and local dignitaries were present for the occasion as well including Port of Tacoma Commissioner Clare Petrich, Governor Christine Gregoire’s husband Mike Gregoire and Congressman Norm Dicks among others. From there, Tall Ships was off and running.
Throughout the festival, families enjoyed all kinds of activities, including tours of ships and sailing adventures, and many pirates were seen among the crowds. With more than 2,000 local volunteers providing their assistance and scores of community vendors offering everything from fish and chips to handmade art and jewelry, Tall Ships 2008 was a truly Tacoma event and a great success by all counts.
