Having completed a full summer of teen voyages throughout northern New England, the 200-foot Tall Ship SSV Oliver Hazard Perry will be open to the public for free tours at Fort Adams State Park over the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend (September 2 and 3) from 1 to 4 p.m. both days.
The largest privately-funded, actively sailing civilian Tall Ship in the U.S., Perry also is Rhode Island’s Official Sailing Education Vessel. Support from charitable, corporate and marine industry partnerships as well as private donations help fund sail trainee scholarships, partnerships with public schools, youth organizations, and activities that ensure wide public access to Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island’s education-at-sea programs. Donors who have given at the Afterguard and Captain’s Table levels are reminded to sign up for an afternoon sail on one of Perry’s four “Donor Day Sails” coming up. They are scheduled for Wednesday through Saturday, August 23-26from 1 to 4 pm each day.
To join the Donor Day Sails and/or make a tax-deductible contribution to Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island, a 501c3 organization, please contact Gretchen Thor at gretchen@ohpri.org or 401-841-0080
A full schedule and times for public touring opportunities in September and October follow below.
- Fort Adams State Park
Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017 (1 – 4 pm)
Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017 (1 – 4 pm)
Fort Adams State Park, where SSV Oliver Hazard Perry is permanently berthed while not underway on voyages, is situated at the mouth of the Newport Harbor, offering an exceptional panoramic view of both Newport Harbor and the East Passage of Narragansett Bay.
- New London Open House – Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival
$5/adults and $1 for children 12 and under
Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 (10 am – 4 pm), City Pier, New London
Oliver Hazard Perry will be participating along with other Tall Ships in the Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival.
- Newport International Boat Show
For boat show ticket holders only
Thursday – Sunday, Sept. 14-17, 2017 (10 am – 6 pm, except Sunday 10 am to 5 pm)
The Newport International Boat Show encompasses 13 acres of Newport waterfront and exhibits all types of sail and powerboats ranging from 16 feet to 100+ feet.
- Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival
A small fee will be charged
Saturday – Sunday, Oct. 14-15, 2017 (11 am to 5 pm)
The annual Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival is a free fall tradition on the Newport waterfront where vendors and restaurants offer their culinary takes on the bounty of the Ocean State. SSV Oliver Hazard Perry will be dockside and open for tours on all days for a small fee.
For more information on SSV Oliver Hazard Perry and its programs, visit www.ohpri.org.