2009 Salem Maritime Festival Plans Unveiled

A Celebration of Salem's Maritime Heritage in "Ships, Sawdust, Sailors & Song"

Salem, MA - A new logo and event plan were unveiled this week for the 21st annual Salem Maritime Festival to be held on the historic Salem waterfront. The focus of this year's Maritime Festival will be free family fun, and will feature two tall ships in port, the Friendship of Salem and the Kalmar Nyckel; Junior Ranger Programs; day and evening concerts; and exciting array of maritime history interpreters, including the USS Constitution master gun team.

The crew of the Kalmar Nyckel will come to tell her story as one of America's pioneering colonial ships, whose historical significance rivals that of the Mayflower, though never been widely told. Her first voyage to the New World in 1638 World brought 24 settlers of Swedish, Finnish, German and Dutch descent to establish the first permanent European settlement in the Delaware Valley. She made a total of four roundtrip crossings of the Atlantic-more than any other ship of the era. The master gun team of USS Constitution will come make "Old Ironsides'" history become alive, as they conduct full gun exercises with a replica 1812-era 5,600-lb. cast iron long gun, complete with simulated blast of the gun, and recount stories of her famous battles in the War of 1812.

"This year we have embraced 'Ships, Sawdust, Sailors & Song' as our theme," stated Patricia Trap, National Park Service Superintendent for the Salem Maritime National Historic Site. "In doing so, we hope to inspire visitors to experience firsthand the rich heritage of Salem's historic waterfront. All are invited to come and revel in Salem's four centuries of maritime tradition."

Families will enjoy exploring maritime traditions and seeing live demonstrations of the old time seafaring trades and skills, including boatbuilding, coopering, rope making, cargo loading, sail setting, and other traditional crafts.Roving storytellers will share personal stories of brazen settlers, bold merchants, fearless ship captains and courageous sailors, and how they made their fortunes. Children can walk in their steps, and experience the sights and sounds of colonial merchants, shopkeepers, sailors, craftsmen and customs inspectors . . . all to the traditional tunes of Salem in its early seaport heyday.

"Traditionally, the Salem Maritime Festival has been the kickoff to Salem's week of Heritage Days festivities," stated Rinus Oosthoek, Salem Chamber of Commerce Executive Director. "It is a premier summer event on the North Shore attracting over 7,000 attendees each year, and a perfect opportunity to bring families to Salem. We hope the entire Salem business community steps up to support this event." Information regarding levels of sponsorship is available through the Salem Chamber of Commerce.

The Salem Maritime Festival is organized by the Salem Maritime National Historic Site and Salem Maritime Festival Committee, with logistical support from the Salem Chamber of Commerce, Essex National Heritage Commission, the City of Salem, and Derby Street Neighborhood Association. For more information, visit us on the web at www.nps.gov/sama or call 978-740-1650.

Date: Friday, July 31st through Saturday, August 1st, 2009.