VIRGINIA Downrigging Weekend Sails*, Oct. 29-31, 2021

207 South Water Street,Chestertown MD 21620

29 October, 2021

Description

VIRGINIA is a reproduction of the last all sail vessel built for the Virginia Pilot Association. VIRGINIA is a reproduction of the last all sail vessel built for the Virginia Pilot Association. The original ship sailed for the pilots from 1917-1926, training apprentice pilots in seamanship and navigation. The reproduction, built in Norfolk between 2002-2004, is also used as an educational platform. Her programs include courses in maritime history, marine science, maritime literature, and team-building for both students and adults. The ship has sailed as far south as Trinidad, east to Bermuda, north to Prince Edward Island, and all along the Atlantic Coast of the United States. Sailing on Virginia is truly an incredible experience. There are also loads of events shore-side during Downrigging, including concerts, lectures, exhibits, and more. Make a weekend of it! See the Downrigging section of our website for details. Please Note: The cancellation/refund policy for Downrigging Weekend isdifferent from a traditional Sultana Public Sail. Please note the cancellationpolicy when you complete your purchase. It all started back in 2001, when the newly launched schooner SULTANA and the PRIDE OF BALTIMORE II, took a casual sail together on the Chester River the weekend before both vessels “downrigged” for the winter. The combination of a stiff breeze, the fall colors at their peak, and thousands of waterfowl flying overhead, made it a day few onboard either vessel would soon forget. “We’ll have to do this again next year,” remarked both Captains – and so Sultana Downrigging was born. Almost two decades later, Sultana Downrigging has grown to be one of the largest Tall Ship gatherings in the country which, beginning in 2019, will be joined by a major bluegrass festival. Visitors can expect to see a waterfront packed with ships and wooden boats; three days of performances by the region’s best bluegrass musicians; great food in the festival’s new waterfront village, lectures by nationally recognized authors; activities for children; opportunities to sail on the visiting Tall Ships; and the chance to spend the weekend in Chestertown – one of America’s best preserved historic seaports. Don’t miss it!