Learn about the three historic boats harboring in Richmond this weekend for SailFest
The Virginia Museum of History and Culture is partnering with the City of Richmond to bring three tall ships to the riverfront this weekend.
The Oosterschelde, Pride of Baltimore II, and Virginia will travel up the James River from Norfolk and anchor at Dock Street for the weekend celebration.
Beyond boarding and learning the history of the three vessels, visitors can enjoy live music, cultural performances, and waterfront festivities.
The festival will also feature a major fireworks display, including 250 drones, Saturday evening at 9 p.m.
The ships are arriving as part of the larger Richmond SailFest — a free, family-friendly festival taking place all weekend in commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary.
“They all have their own unique stories, in terms of what they were used for, or what they had been recreated to portray,” said Michael Plumb, Vice President for Education and Engagement at the VMHC.
The Oosterschelde is a Dutch three-masted topsail schooner. The oldest of the three vessels, it dates back to the early 1900s when it was used in the Netherlands.
The Pride of Baltimore II is a recreation of a topsail schooner that would have been prominently used in the Chesapeake Bay in the early 19th century around the War of 1812.
The Virginia is also a recreated schooner that would have been used as a pilot vessel in Virginia in the early 1900s, serving as a guide for other vessels arriving to harbors in the Hampton Roads area.
Plumb explained the undertaking that is bringing the three vessels up to Richmond from Norfolk. With the help of the Army, causeway sections will be brought up the James for the ships to tie off and dock to at the event site.
Additionally, with assistance from the city, ramps will be in place to facilitate safe transit from the event site down to the causeways for easy access to the ships.
Those who are interested in touring the ships can visit VMHC’s website to preorder tickets at no cost. Pre-registration for tall ship tour tickets is currently sold out, but a limited number of tickets will be released each morning of the event and will be available until they sell out.
The larger event — which will be held at Dock Street Park and Intermediate Terminal in Richmond — kicks off at 11 a.m. on Friday, continuing through 6 p.m. with ship access and live entertainment.
The festival will continue Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sarah Vogelsong
“That's how [VHMC] tries to operate, is to get people to engage with history in unexpected ways,” Plumb said. “These ships, and the festival environment that we created around it … is a very special way to kick off this period of commemoration, and we jumped at the chance.”
Two stages at the event site will showcase a variety of music and performances, including Garden Variety String Band, the Richmond Symphony, and the U.S. Fleet Forces Band, among others.
“It has taken a lot of work from the team to gather that lineup, but we’re really proud of what we have,” said Plumb. “That's a big thing that I think will be exciting for folks.”
Tim Wenzell
Further, two traveling versions of VHMC-produced exhibitions — “Give Me Liberty” and “We the People” — will be at the event site as part of the 250th anniversary celebration.
“We really do feel like there is something for everyone,” said Plumb. “Whether it's the music, whether it's the food and drink, whether it’s some of these other opportunities to learn about the past, or really think about the future of things like the James River.”
A full schedule of events and performances for the weekend can be found on VMHC’s website. No registration is required to visit the event site during the hours of the festival.
