Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Minnesota News
Andrew Krueger

Tall ships return to Duluth for Festival of Sail

Ships approach
The U.S. Brig Niagara and the Roseway approach a crowd of viewers and the ship canal during the Duluth Tall Ships festival parade on July 29, 2010 in Duluth. Tall ships will return to Duluth this week for the Festival of Sail.
Clint Austin | Duluth News Tribune via AP 2010

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

A parade of tall ships is set to pass beneath the Aerial Lift Bridge in Duluth on Sunday morning, kicking off the Festival of Sail.

It's the first gathering of tall ships in Duluth in three years, and tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the event that runs through Tuesday. City officials said they expect it to bring more visitors to Duluth than any other single event this year.

Among the ships on hand will be the U.S. Brig Niagara, a replica of a two-masted warship that took part in the War of 1812. The present ship incorporates some timbers from the original ship.

Christopher Cusson, captain of the Niagara, said it's that sense of history that draws many people to the tall ships.

"It's something that's a connection to something that was," he said, speaking by phone while the ship was out on Lake Superior. "(With) a lot of people's family histories, it's how they got across oceans to get to North America. I think there's a deep connection there. As well as — they're really cool to look at. I think they're pretty impressive when you're alongside or on board, and each one of them has a unique story."

Niagara
The U.S. Brig Niagara enters the Duluth ship canal on July 29, 2010.
Bob Kelleher | MPR News 2010

At least five other tall ships are expected to take part in the festival, lining the harbor near the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center and Canal Park. Find more event information here.

Cusson said the stop in Duluth — one of several tall ships events taking place this summer around the Great Lakes — is a highlight of the season for the Niagara's crew of 33, a mix of professionals and volunteers.

"It's always pretty special, especially here in Duluth. There's always usually a great turnout, and the set-up there with the Aerial Bridge and the channel and the breakwaters - it's always amazing to have the ship coming in and have all of those thousands of people lined up to welcome us to Duluth. It's always pretty special and a pretty cool sight."

Duluth previously hosted tall ships festivals in 2008, 2010, 2013 and 2016. Several tall ships operate on a three-year circuit, cycling among the Great Lakes, the East Coast and the West Coast.

City and state officials cautioned drivers to prepare for heavy traffic on Interstate 35 to and from Duluth in the coming days, as well as traffic congestion and street closures near the festival in Canal Park.