Tall Ships Sailing into SP Next Weekend

Community Groups Host Viewing Parties; Warner Grand Hosts Nautical Film Festival

All eyes will be on the tall ships as the 2008 Festival of Sail comes to San Pedro Aug. 15-17.

The Coast Guard’s Eagle and other “celebrity” ships will be on display and open for tours during the free festival along the San Pedro waterfront.

The event begins with the “grand parade of sail” at 10 a.m. on Aug. 15, when the boats will enter the inner channel and sail into berth.

At least two community organizations are hosting special events to view the ships’ arrival.

The San Pedro Bay Historical Society is having a luncheon at 10 a.m. at Top of the Market restaurant in Ports O’ Call Village. A representative of the American Sail Training Association will narrate as the ships enter and guests dine on a buffet lunch. Tickets are $20. Call (310) 547-1378 for more information.

The Grand Vision Foundation, a non-profit support group for the Warner Grand Theatre, is having a champagne buffet brunch at Ports O’ Call Restaurant at 9:30 a.m. The brunch will take place on the patio, with narration and music to accompany the viewing. Tickets are $60 per person or $100 per couple and include passes to the tall ships movie weekend at the Warner Grand, as described below. Call (310) 833-4813 for more information.

The waterfront isn’t the only place to get nautical over the tall ships weekend. The Grand Vision Foundation is getting into the spirit with screenings of “Mutiny on the Bounty,” “Master and Commander,” “Spongebob Square Pants, The Movie” and “Hook” at the Warner Grand. Admission is $5 per film. See the Grand Vision Foundation home page for show times.

During the three-day festival, community groups will have booths at Pepper Tree Plaza at Sixth and Beacon Streets next to the San Pedro Municipal Building (638 S. Beacon St.)

Festival hours are 12 noon-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15 and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 16-17.

For more information, visit the Festival of Sail website and the Port of LA tall ships page.