Ocean Institute's 39th Annual Maritime Festival (formerly Dana Point Tall Ships Festival)

[madPete]

It seems they no longer go by "Toshiba Tall Ships Festival", maybe lost the Sponsor? Anyhoo, after losing the Pilgrim during Covid, they now have the "Spirit of Dana Point" and are having a PIrate and Mermaid Ball on Saturday night.

I'm told there will be new shows this year, probably a Land-sea battle of the pirates versus the British on board the Spirit of Dana Point.

There will be Cannon Battles on the Tall Ship cruises as well. You have to book ahead of time to get on the Tallship Cruises, they sell out fast! They usually have 4-5 Additional tallships: the "Exy Johnson", "Irving Johnson", "American Pride", and "Bill of Rights". I saw a post that Mayflower was going to be there too.

Generally there are 2 Pirate camps. One is a combination of Pirates and British sailors that perform the shows and another crew of Pirates "Alliance of the Double Cross" with several sub crews, that does a Living History camp. Sometimes there is a third pirate camp near the music stage.

There is a blacksmith, beer garden, and live music and many food vendors. The OI parking lot is usually full of various vendors with Nautical themed items. a beer garden and live music. The Ocean Institute opens its doors for free Admission during the festival.

Also lots of day trip visiting pirates wandering about with the spectators.