The Piscataqua Maritime Commission (PMC) is proud to announce the finalized schedule for the 2010 Tall Ships visit Memorial Day Weekend, May 29th, 30th and 31st at the NEW location on Peirce Island – the Portsmouth Commercial Fish Pier. (Continued below)

The PMC is welcoming the HMS Bounty and The Privateer Lynx. The two magnificent Tall Ships will be available for tours from 10-5:30 Saturday through Monday.

Festivities kick off with the traditional Boat Parade starting at Buoy 2KR in the mouth of the harbor at about 1:15 p.m. Friday. The public is encouraged to participate in the parade with private vessels. There should be a rousing cannon battle in the river as the ships pass Four Tree Island. Both ships are armed with cannons and the Newmarket Militia will be firing their welcoming cannon salutes.

Once the ships arrive at the Commercial Fish Pier on Peirce Island at approximately 2 pm, there will be welcoming ceremonies at approximately 3 pm. The public is invited to attend. Many local dignitaries will provide their welcoming remarks and make their presentations.

Public tours will be held Saturday, 29 May, Sunday 30 May and Monday 31 May from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m daily. Saturday and Sunday afternoon on the dock there will be traditional Sea Shanty music by the Dog Watch Singers and the UNH Docent Singers. There will be food presented daily by the NH Commercial Fishermen’s Association (Eat Local Buy Local) and educational exhibits under the tent.

Saturday night at 7 p.m. there will be a dockside Captain’s reception (tickets $45 per person by reservation only call 431-7447) with catering by the legendary Mojo’s BBQ. Tickets include food, festivities, a private tour of the ships and a cash bar.

Tickets are only $9 per person and $25 per family. Kids under 12 are free. There is parking for handicapped at the pier. Public parking is available but limited on Peirce Island so we recommend that you park in the City parking lot at High and Hanover streets, the Parrott Avenue lot (free) or on-street metered parking, and walk down. The Portsmouth Commercial Fish Pier is located next to Prescott Park and Strawbery Banke just a 5-10 minute walk from the parking garages.

For further information call the Tall Ship Hotline at (603) 431-7447 and leave us a message.