Category Archives: Schooners

GLOUCESTER SCHOONER FESTIVAL SCHEDULE!

 

Schedule of Events for the 34th Annual Gloucester Labor Day Schooner Festival 

Friday, August 31, 2018

All Day Arrival of Participating Vessels.

10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Cape Ann Museum open to the public– free of charge.

5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Mayor’s Reception for invited guests (ticketed event)

6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Gloucester Block Party on Main Street in downtown.

Welcome Columbia and Bluenose II sail aboard the Schooner Thomas Lannon on Friday at 10am. Purchase tickets here.

Saturday, September 1, 2018

10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Maritime Gloucester Heritage Day
Maritime Gloucester, located at 23 Harbor Loop in downtown Gloucester, will host its annual Heritage Day celebration from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The event is free to the public.

11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Heritage Day at the White-Ellery House
The 1710 White-Ellery House (245 Washington Street, Gloucester) will have a slide show of schooners and have other fishing & racing related activities. The event is free to the public.

4:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Lobster Bake at The Gloucester House
Music, food and a whole lot of fun. The cost is only $17
for Lobster, Corn and Cornbread.

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Concert on Stacy Boulevard
Enjoy a community concert on The Boulevard before and after the Parade of Lights and Fireworks.

7:00 pm
Boat Parade of Lights
The annual Boat Parade of Lights begins at dusk at Jones Creek on the Annisquam River, travels down the river, through the drawbridge and into Gloucester Harbor, ending in the Smith’s Cove area of the harbor.

9:15 pm
Fireworks Display over Gloucester Harbor. (following Parade of Lights, time approximate)
(The Gloucester Fireworks Committee is in need of more donations for the Labor Day weekend fireworks. Donations may be made to The Gloucester Fund, 45 Middle St., Gloucester, MA 01930. Please notate “fireworks” on your donation.)

 

Sunday, September 2, 2018

8:30 am
Skippers Meeting
This meeting is required for all Schooners sailing in the Mayor’s Race.  Meet at Solomon Jacobs Park, immediately adjacent to the U.S. Coast Guard Station on Harbor Loop.

10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Parade of Sail as Schooners proceed from Inner Harbor, past the Fishermen’s Memorial on Stacy Boulevard, to the race starting area off Eastern Point.

11:00 am to 1:30 pm
Shuttle Bus to Eastern Point Light, from Eastern Point Gate (Eastern Point Boulevard at Farrington Avenue) to watch the start of the Mayor’s Race. Free ofCharge, courtesy of Cape Ann Transportation Authority.

1:00 pm
Start of Mayor’s Race for the Esperanto Cup, Columbia Trophy, Ned Cameron Trophy; and Betty Ramsey Trophy off Eastern Point.

6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Reception and Awards Ceremony
for captains, crews and invited guests (ticketed event)

Monday, September 3, 2018

“Rain Day” for recovery from postponements caused by inclement weather. ONLY IF REQUIRED.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE GLOUCESTER SCHOONER FESTIVAL WEBSITE HERE.

Tall Ship Lynx Departs Gloucester

schooner-lynx-gloucester-boston-skyline-copyright-kim-smithExciting news–the Schooner Lynx will be returning to Gloucester next year for the Schooner fest! The captain of the Lynx, Donald Peacock, wrote the following, “Thank you for noticing Lynx in your harbor. Gloucester Marine Railways have been most hospitable and we look forward to returning for Lynx 2017 yard period and the 2017 Gloucester Schooner Race and Festival.”

A magnificent ship under sail, she was a joy to watch and to photograph as she moved through the Harbor, setting course for Saint Petersburg, Florida, via Portland, Maine. You can see in the last photo that by the time she was passing Brace Cove she was under full sail with her square sail hoisted too. Safe travels Schooner Lynx and crew!

schooner-lynx-gloucester-mast-crane-piling-copyright-kim-smithAt the Railways with crew members Casey and Hunter

schooner-lynx-gloucester-ten-pound-island-copyright-kim-smithPassing Ten Pound Island -note how much taller the Schooner is to the Lighthouse

schooner-lynx-gloucester-harbor-copyright-kim-smithschooner-lynx-gloucester-eastern-point-lighthouse-copyright-kim-smithschooner-lynx-gloucester-seagull-copyright-kim-smith

Along the backshore with Boston in the distanceschooner-lynx-brace-rock-copyright-kim-smith

schooner-lynx-gloucester-brace-cove-copyright-kim-smithBrace Cove

New Film: Scenes and Vignettes from the 32nd Annual Gloucester Schooner Festival

So many thanks to everyone for watching! I was a bit worried about posting a 25 minute unnarrated film set to music alone but the response has been wonderful. Feeling blessed and thankful for our beautiful community.

2016 Gloucester Schooner Festival

Dedicated to Kay Ellis

Highlights from Gloucester’s magnificent Schooner Festival, including the schooner welcome, Parade of Sail, the schooner race from a rocky cliff outpost, awards ceremony where Fly Amero and Daisy Nell honor Kay with a song, Daisy tells a funny joke, Adventure Captain Stefan Edick wins a special award, fireworks from Stage Fort Park, and more. The film opens with scenes of Cape Ann schooners, participating schooners, and Gloucester fishing boats, shot all around Gloucester Harbor during the weekend of the festival.

With special thanks to Al Bezanson, Daisy Nell, and Schooner Welcome Committee members Brett Ramsey, Max Ramsey, and Nick Ramsey.

The Gloucester Schooner Festival is held each year over Labor Day weekend and organized byMaritime Gloucester and the Gloucester Schooner Festival Committee. The Schooner Festival celebrates the role the fishing schooner has played in the maritime heritage of the east coast, especially Cape Ann.

Race Results

2016 Particpating Schooners and Captains

Adventure – Stefan Edick

Ardelle – Harold Burnham

American Eagle – John Foss

Apella – Dan Hall

Bald Eagle – Paul Cole/Judith Nast

Blackbird – Peter Thompson

Columbia – Karl Joyner

Eileen Marie – Peter Houston

Fame – Mike Rutstein (not raccing)

Green Dragon – Andy Bezanson

Hindu – Josh Rowan

Ishmael – Fred and Sarah Murphy

Istar – Josiah Mayo

Lettie Howard – Colin Graham

Liberty Clipper – Dylan Saltzman

Light Reign – Mike Lawrence

Malabar II – James Lobdell

Narwhal – Bob Bernert

Principles – Derek Durling

Redbird – Daisy Nell/Stan Collinson

Roseway – Tom Ryan

Sugar Babe – Ed Boynton

Thomas Lannon – Heath Ellis

Tree of Life – Paul Morse

Tyrone – Matt Sutphin

Schooner Adventure Docked at the Jodrey State Fish Pier

Recent snapshots of the Schooner Adventure docked at the Jodrey State Fish Pier

schooner-adventure-sunset-gloucester-harbor-copyright-kim-smith schooner-adventure-sunset-gloucester-harbor-2-copyright-kim-smith

Fall Sailing Aboard the Schooner Thomas lannon

schooner-thomas-e-lannon-sunset-paint-factory-gloucester-copyright-kim-smithThe beautiful (and wonderfully fun) Schooner Thomas Lannon continues to offer sailing excursions throughout autumn. Check their website here for availability.

Beautiful Schooners, Beautiful Day, Beautiful Gloucester

gloucester-schooner-festival-2016-schooners-with-schooner-eileen-marie-in-the-foreground-copyright-kim-smithGloucester Harbor Schooner Festival 2016

gloucester-schooner-festival-2016-schooner-redbird-copyright-kim-smithSchooner Redbird and Gloucester City Hall

gloucester-schooner-festival-2016-schooner-green-dragon-copyright-kim-smithSchooner Green Dragon and UU Church

gloucester-schooner-festival-2016-schooner-ardelle-schooner-istar-copyright-kim-smithSchooner Ardelle and Schooner Istar

gloucester-schooner-festival-2016-schooner-eileen-marie-copyright-kim-smithSchooner Eileen Marie and Gloucester City Hall

gloucester-schooner-festival-2016-schooners-narwahl-schooner-light-reign-copyright-kim-smithSchooner Light Reign and Schooner Narwahl

gloucester-schooner-festival-2016-schooner-narwhal-schooner-fame-copyright-kim-smithSchooner Narwahl and Schooner Fame 

gloucester-schooner-festival-2016-schooner-istar-copyright-kim-smithSchooner Istar

gloucester-schooner-festival-2016-schooner-eileen-marie-our-lady-of-good-voyage-church-copyright-kim-smithSchooner Eileen Marie and Our Lady of Good Voyage

gloucester-schooner-festival-2016-schooners-paint-factory-copyright-kim-smithSchooners Paint Factory

ten-pound-island-gloucester-schooner-race-2016Schooners Ten Pound Island

All photos in the gallery are labeled with the Schooner name; click the image for the caption. If any of the labels are amiss, please let me know. Thank you!

 

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Photos of Gloucester Schooner Captains, Crew, and Committee Members

Snapshots taken on race day, at the morning meeting of the captains and the evening’s closing ceremony, and a few the day before. So many thanks to Al Bezanson for introductions, his much appreciated knowledge and advice generously shared, and for being an all around great guy. I’ve tried to accurately caption; click on the photo to read the captain’s names and their schooners.

gloucester-schooner-festival-2016-ardelle-captain-harold-burnham-malabar-captain-james-lobdell-copyright-kim-smithCaptain Harold Burnham, Schooner Ardelle, and Captain James Lobdell, Schooner Malabar II

gloucester-schooner-festival-2016-schooner-tyrone-captain-matt-sutphin-green-dragon-captain-al-bezanson-copyright-kim-smithCaptain Matt Sutphin, Schooner Tyrone and Captain Al Bezanson, Schooner Green Dragon

gloucester-schooner-festival-2016-al-bezanson-captain-peter-houston-copyright-kim-smithMike McManus, Captain Al Bezanson Schooner Green Dragon and Captain Peter Houston, Schooner Eileen Marie

adventure-captain-stefan-edick-awarded-george-nichols-cup-gloucester-schooner-festival-2016-copyright-kim-smithCaptain Stefan Edick, Schooner Adventure, receiving the George Nichols Cup from the Schooner Committee Chair Daisy Nell

gloucester-schooner-festival-2016-schooner-tyrone-captain-matt-sutphin-2-copyright-kim-smithCaptain Matt Sutphin the day before the race painting the hull of the Schooner Tyrone

Schooner Adventure Captain Stefan Edick Awarded George Nichols Cup

Schooner Adventure Captain Stefan Edick awarded George Nichols Cup for leadership, seamanship, and contributions to the maritime industry. adventure-captain-stefan-edick-awarded-george-nichols-cup-gloucester-schooner-festival-2016-copyright-kim-smith

Presented by Gloucester Schooner Festival Committee Chair Daisy Nell at the closing festival award celebration. An honor and tribute for the Captain and especially distinguishing as this year  the Adventure is celebrating her 90th.

Mini Video: Simply Spectacular Gloucester’s Best Fireworks!

The “never ending” was my favorite part of the Gloucester Schooner Festival/Labor Day fireworks, but it was all super spectacular. An adorable little girl, Belle, was standing next to me while filming the fireworks. At one point during the show Belle asked her Mom if the sharks and mermaids were watching the firework.

Three Schooners in One!

Three of our Gloucester schooners all lined up for a moment during the Parade of Sail

SCHOONER ADVENTURE LANNON ARDELLE COPYRIGHT KIM SMITHLeft to right, the Schooner Adventure, Schooner Lannon, and Schooner Ardelle

High Winds and Rough Seas – Several Schooners Had to Drop Sail

GLOUCESTER SCHOONER RACE 2016Schooner Race view from the Backshore

A Salty Lot ~ The Schooner Captains

Just kidding, you couldn’t meet a nicer bunch of gentlemen! Best wishes to all for a great race.

Gloucester Schooner Race Captains 2016 copyright Kim SmithThe Captain’s meeting, Sunday morning, Schooner Festival 2016

Gloucester Schooner Race Captains crew 2016 copyright Kim Smith

Party Snapshots from the Mayor’s Reception

Photos from the Schooner Festival Mayor’s Reception held Friday night on the grounds of the Coast Guard station. After the reception guests headed over to the Maritime Gloucester gala, An Evening Under the Spars, this year held at the Beauport Hotel. The gala sold out early and was a grand success. Proceeds from this event directly support Maritime Gloucester’s Ocean Explorers program and educational marine science outreach to all Cape Ann public schools.

Schooner Festival Mayor's Reception Schooner Lannon copyright Kim Smith

Happening Now! Maritime Heritage Day – Don’t Miss!

DSCF1499Erik and Neil measuring fish with NOAA

DSCF1515And bravely demonstrating Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team snakes

DSCF1495Phyllis Bezanson and daughter Amy at the Boston Malacological Club display

DSCF1487Michele Del Vecchio’s beautiful block prints of the Schooners Ardelle and Adventure that she made for the Maritme centerDSCF1488

DSCF1519Lotus Marsh making trunnels, the wooden nails used to build schooner

DSCF1539Amanda Cook’s gorgeous Salty Island Yarns, with hundreds and hundreds of handmade goods

DSCF1537Sam Cook making a schooner print

DSCF1535Katie Dench

DSCF1534Maritime Gloucester executive director Sam Balf and development director Sue Ann Pearson

The Beautiful Schooner Thomas E. Lannon

Schooner Thomas Lannon Gloucester MA copyright Kim SmithDuring last evening’s Schooner Festival Mayor’s Reception opening festivities, a moving song of tribute to Kay Ellis was sung by Allen Estes. The Schooner Lannon wended past during the performance.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BJ4KL6MjIDz/

Schooner Thomas Lannon Paint Factory Gloucester MA copyright Kim Smith

Welcome Schooners!

Brett Nick Max Ramsey Gloucester Schooner Fest welcome 2016 copyright Kim SmithWhat a treat to tag along with Gloucester’s own Schooner Festival welcoming committee Brett Ramsey and his sons Max and Nick. Each year Brett purchases and assembles baskets of fresh fruit. Along with loaves of yummy bread still warm from Virgilio’s ovens (donated by Joe Virgilio), Brett and his family welcome each and every participating schooner. You could tell that the recipients were really grateful and thrilled by the gesture.

Special shout out to Schooner Green Dragon’s Captain Al Bezanson. I was out filming early this morning and stopped by Rocky Neck Accommodations to say hello to Al and his wife Phyllis. This was Al’s idea to cover the Schooner Fest welcome, so thank you Al Bezanson!!

Gloucester Schooner Fest welcome 2016 Heat Ellis copyright Kim SmithSchooner Lannon’s Captain Heath EllisGloucester Schooner Fest welcome 2016 -7 copyright Kim Smith

Schooner Fest welcome 2016 Al Bezanson, Matt Sutphin, Fred Murphy copyright Kim SmithCaptains Al Bezanson (Green Dragon), Fred Murphy (Ishmael), and Matt Sutphin (Tyrone) Gloucester Schooner Fest welcome -1 2016 copyright Kim Smith