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A Rendezvous with The Hermione

A Rendezvous with The Hermione
Event Begins a 3-Day Celebration of Historic Proportions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Laura Rodini laura@pride2.org 202-669-3065 (cell)

Pride II and Key Bridge, by John Beatty
Pride II and Key Bridge, by John Beatty

BALTIMORE, June 12, 2015 – Pride of Baltimore II, America’s Star-Spangled Ambassador, will participate in an event of international proportions on Friday, June 19, 2015 as Pride will rendezvous with the French-built Hermione, a replica of the Marquis de Lafayette’s 18th-century ship. The ships will meet between Fort McHenry and the Key Bridge as Pride escorts The Hermione to the Inner Harbor. A limited number of media will be allowed on board Pride for this historic escort; please check for space availability by calling Laura Rodini at 202-669-3065.

The event begins a 3-day celebration featuring deck tours of both ships, public day sails exclusively on Pride, and activities related to #OneBaltimore.

Key Highlights include:

Friday, June 19 from 7-8:30 am: The historic rendezvous between Pride and The Hermione
Friday, June 19 at 10 am: Welcome Ceremony Featuring French & American Dignitaries
Friday, June 19 from 2-4 pm: Musicians aboard Pride during her Public Sail, including composer and BSO bassist Jonathan Jensen, who will perform his original piece, “Pride Shanty,” and other sailing songs
Saturday, June 20 from 9-11:30 am: Nearly one hundred school children affected by the recent unrest in Baltimore, including Sandtown and other neighborhoods, will tour The Hermione and Pride in an effort related to #OneBaltimore

 

Pride Meets The Hermione: Best Vantage Points

L’Hermione makes landfall in Yorktown, VA, courtesy Yahoo News
The Hermione makes landfall in Yorktown, VA, courtesy Yahoo News

At 7 am on June 19, the ships will meet in the Inner Harbor near the Key Bridge and Fort McHenry. Pride will then escort The Hermione to the Inner Harbor. There will be a salute from Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine at 7:30 am as the ships enter the Harbor.

The best vantage points to see the ships under sail as they enter the Inner Harbor will be from:

– Broadway Pier in Fells Point (900 S. Broadway)
– Tide Point (1040 Hull St.,)
– Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, opening at 6:30 am that day (2400 East Fort Ave)

Other vantage points to consider include: The Canton Waterfront Park, The Promenade, Federal Hill and The Baltimore Museum of Industry.

The complete Schedule of Events is as follows:

Friday, June 19, 2015

– 10 am – 12pm Welcome Ceremony with French and American officials
– 12 pm – 4pm: Public Tours of The Hermione
– 12 pm – 1pm: Public Tours of Pride
– 2 pm – 4 pm: Pride Public Sail, including music from Jonathan Jensen. Click here to purchase tickets
– 12 pm – 4 pm: Traveling Exhibit about The Hermione’s reconstruction and Community Events, including colonial craft demonstrations, fife and drum corps, and sing-a-longs on the Pier.
Location: Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, Constellation Pier 1 (301 E. Pratt Street) and the West Wall (301 Light Street)

Saturday, June 20, 2015

– 9 am – 10 am: Sandtown neighborhood students take private tour of The Hermione
– 10 am – 4pm: Public Tours of The Hermione
– 9 am – 1 pm: Public Tours of Pride, including a special tour by Sandtown neighborhood students at 11 am
– 2 pm – 4 pm: Pride Public Sail. Click here to purchase tickets
– 9 am – 7 pm: Traveling Exhibit about The Hermione reconstruction and Community Events, including colonial craft demonstrations, fife and drum corps, and sing-a-longs on the Pier.
Location: Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, Constellation Pier 1 (301 E. Pratt Street) and the West Wall (301 Light Street)

Sunday, June 21, 2015

– 9 am – 4pm: Public Tours of The Hermione
– 9 am – 1pm: Public Tours of Pride
– 2 pm – 4pm: Pride Public Sail. Click here to purchase tickets
– 9 am – 7 pm: Traveling Exhibit about The Hermione reconstruction and Community Events, including colonial craft demonstrations, fife and drum corps, and sing-a-longs on the Pier.
Location: Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, Constellation Pier 1 (301 E. Pratt Street) and the West Wall (301 Light Street)

 

About the Marquis de Lafayette

The Marquis de Lafayette, courtesy NY Historical Society
The Marquis de Lafayette, courtesy NY Historical Society

“Lafayette’s incredible story underlies the strong bond the United States has with France,” says Rick Scott, Executive Director, Pride of Baltimore, Inc. Lafayette was just 19 years old when he volunteered to fight for the American Revolution. It was because of him that the King of France sent 5,000 soldiers and six ships to aid in the battle, and, eventually, help defeat the British. Scott adds, “We are proud to participate in The Hermione’s historic voyage and to welcome her with open arms to Baltimore, a city itself that is deeply rooted in American history.”

 

About Pride of Baltimore

For nearly four decades, the Pride of Baltimore and the Pride of Baltimore II have represented the people of Baltimore, spreading a positive message and extending the hand of friendship throughout the world. Since her commissioning in 1988, Pride II has traveled more than 250,000 nautical miles and visited 40 countries in 200 ports. Pride II has become one of the most well-known U.S. sailing vessels in the world, capturing the imagination of millions of people.

For more information, contact Laura Rodini at laura@pride2.org or call 202-669-3065.

 

About the Friends of Hermione-Lafayette in America, Inc.

In 2015, a handcrafted replica of the Hermione, the 18th century frigate that brought the young Marquis de Lafayette with French troops back to General Washington, a historic voyage that changed the course in our quest for independence – will return to America. The Hermione’s itinerary reaffirms the historic relationship between the United States and France. The Friends of Lafayette-Hermione in America, Inc., a non-profit group, supports this exciting adventure – partnering alongside local heritage and nautical groups, students and teachers K-through-12, and many cultural organizations, museums and universities – with a full program of exciting educational, musical, culinary and special events scheduled at each port during 2015.

For More information, contact Deborah Berger at Deborah@purepr.biz or call 646-391-0352.

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