By MIKE NORTON
TRAVERSE CITY, MI -- Among the many pleasant surprises encountered by new visitors to this northern Michigan town is the sight of graceful schooners, sloops and other sailing vessels gliding majestically across Grand Traverse Bay.
And they’ll have a chance to see, tour and sail in six of those stately vessels during the 2014 Michigan Schooner Festival, a three-day celebration of Great Lakes “tall ships” to be held Sept, 19-21.
Four of Traverse City’s own tall ships -- Manitou, Inland Seas, Madeline and Champion -- will be on hand for the festival, as well as two visiting ships: the three-masted schooner Denis Sullivan of Milwaukee and the replica sloop Friends Good Will from South Haven. All six will sail down West Grand Traverse Bay to the city’s waterfront Friday afternoon in the traditional “Grand Parade of Sail” that opens the festival.
For ticket and schedule information about the 2014 Michigan Schooner Festival go to http://www.maritimeheritagealliance.org/calendar/35 or call (231) 946-2647. To learn more about other winter attractions and events in the Traverse City area – and for a complete listing of lodging and dining options – contact Traverse City Tourism at 1-800-TRAVERSE or on line at www.TraverseCity.com
