Greetings!
You’re invited to an event of International proportions! On Friday, June 19, 2015, America’s Star-Spangled Ambassador, Pride of Baltimore II, will rendezvous with the French-built Hermione. You may have heard about the Hermione recently on TV. In April, Hermione departed from France on a two-month Living History Sail to commemorate the voyage that brought a young Marquis de Lafayette to aid General George Washington during the American Revolution.
The Hermione is sailing 3,819 miles across the Atlantic and will make landfall in Yorktown, Virginia in early June. She will then sail up the coast retracing Lafayette’s footsteps, including a historic stop here in Baltimore!
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. Pride of Baltimore II is proud to partake 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.
Take Part In the Excitement!
Beginning at 7 am on June 19, the Captains of both vessels will meet near the Key Bridge and Fort McHenry. Pride will then escort the Hermione to the Inner Harbor. There will be a cannon salute from Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine as the ships enter the Harbor.
The best vantage points to see the ships enter the Inner Harbor will be from:
-Broadway Pier in Fells Point (900 S. Broadway), and
-Tidepoint (1040 Hull St.)
Welcome Ceremony
A Welcome Ceremony with French and American dignitaries will take place there at 10 am at the Inner Harbor’s Constellation Pier 1 (301 E. Pratt Street). This ceremony will kick off a weekend of fun activities, day sails and deck tours, so you won’t want to miss it!
Free Tours, Day Sails and More
Deck Tours of the Hermione and Pride of Baltimore II will be available from Friday, June 19 through Sunday, June 21. In addition, Pride will offer 2-hour public day sails from 2-4pm each day, but get your tickets early, as they are sure to sell out! In addition, can be chartered for evening sails Friday, Saturday and Sunday. To make reservations for a day sail or to book a private charter for a group of up to 33 passengers, visit www.pride2.org or call 410-539-1151.
The complete Schedule of Weekend 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 – 4pm: Pride Public Sail: Click here to purchase tickets
– 12 pm – 4pm: Traveling Exhibit and Community Events on the Pier
o Traveling Exhibit:
A photographic panel display of Lafayette’s role in the American Revolution and the Hermione’s reconstruction.
o Community Heritage events:
Historic shipbuilding and colonial crafts demonstrations. Maryland regiments and fife and drum corps. Lafayette reenactments. 3 afternoon interlude concerts by Rochefort’s Les Vents Marines: French and American seafaring songs from the American Revolution to today with public sing-a-longs.
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 – 4pm: Public Tours of the Hermione
– 9 am – 1 pm: Public Tours of Pride
– 2 pm – 4 pm: Pride Public Sail: Click here to purchase tickets
– 9 am – 7 pm: Traveling Exhibit and Community Events on the Pier
o Traveling Exhibit:
A photographic panel display of Lafayette’s role in the American Revolution and the Hermione’s reconstruction.
o Community Heritage events:
Historic shipbuilding and colonial crafts demonstrations. Maryland regiments and fife and drum corps. Lafayette reenactments. 3 afternoon interlude concerts by Rochefort’s Les Vents Marines: French and American seafaring songs from the American Revolution to today with public sing-a-longs.
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 and Community Events on the Pier
o Traveling Exhibit:
A photographic panel display of Lafayette’s role in the American Revolution and the Hermione’s reconstruction.
o Community Heritage events:
Historic shipbuilding and colonial crafts demonstrations. Maryland regiments and fife and drum corps. Lafayette reenactments. 3 afternoon interlude concerts by Rochefort’s Les Vents Marines: French and American seafaring songs from the American Revolution to today with public sing-a-longs.
Location: Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, Constellation Pier 1 (301 E. Pratt Street) and the West Wall (301 Light Street)
See you in June!
Sincerely,
Rick Scott,
Executive Director
Pride of Baltimore, Inc.
Purchase Day Sail Tickets Here