Tall Ships Erie returns to bayfront with nine vessels, parade of sail, public tours

Tall Ships Erie returned to the Erie bayfront Aug. 21 and will run through Aug. 24, organizers said at a city press conference Friday.

The festival will feature nine tall ships, including the Lettie G. Howard leading the parade of sail and the Ernestina-Morrissey, alongside Canadian vessels Empire Sandy, Fair Jean and Saint Lawrence II, organizers said. Organizers said five ships will offer day sails and that public tours will be available.

The event matters for local tourism and downtown businesses: organizers said the ships and related programming draw visitors to the bayfront and nearby attractions and rely on partnerships with local public safety and transportation agencies.

Billy Sabatini, executive director and fleet captain at the Flagship Niagara League, said Erie has hosted the event eight times since 1994 and credited local partners for making the festival possible. “It’s very exciting to be back and doing this event again,” Sabatini said.

Sabatini said the parade of sail is scheduled to begin at 4:00 and described the route: ships will gather outside the lake, work into the channel, head north toward Presque Isle, circle to the west end of the bay, then return along the southern shore to tie up for the festival. He said ships will be open for tours from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on the morning after arrival and that day sails and sunset sails will operate from midmorning into the evening.

Organizers cautioned that parking near the bayfront is limited because of construction north of Bayfront Parkway and urged visitors to use on‑site shuttles or public buses. Sabatini said the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority is allowing festival ticket holders to ride its buses free with a Tall Ships Erie ticket. He also noted a pedestrian access on State Street and city parking that connects to the festival area.

The festival will operate inside a secured perimeter with entry checkpoints; organizers said attendees should expect restrictions similar to other large city events, including bans on large backpacks, weapons and drones. Tickets are available at tallshipseerie.org, at the Bayfront Maritime Center at 40 Holland Street, and at temporary booths at Dobbins and the South Pier.

“Get down to the Bayfront, find our booths,” Sabatini said, describing on‑site ticketing, retail and program sales.

Mayor (unnamed) welcomed the ships and thanked volunteers and the Flagship Niagara League, encouraging visitors to pair a Tall Ships visit with nearby attractions such as Presque Isle State Park, the Erie Zoo, the Erie Art Museum, the ExpERIence Children’s Museum and the Erie Maritime Museum.

Organizers said they would post updates if the parade route or schedule changes.