Sailfest Three-Days Of Festivities For Sea Dogs & Landlubbers Alike
Sailfest is one of the most eagerly awaited summer festivals in Connecticut. Held in the small town on New London over 3-days each July, the festival usually attracts more than 300,000 adults and children. People requiring accommodation find that the Hampton Inn & Suites Hotel at Mystic is conveniently located, just a handful of miles away. It offers top quality service that is very welcoming to all guests. Both New London and Mystic are delightful seaports.
Virtually all the entertainment at the festival is provided free throughout the event. The Tall Ships are a big attraction. A large range of musical acts perform at one of three venues, namely, the City Pier stage, the Customs House stage or the Hygienic Art Park stage. A comprehensive range of musical genres are presented ranging from rock to Celtic, from hip hop to the blues and jazz. Maritime regattas, fun runs, whaler cruisers, fireworks, amusement rides, plus more than one hundred vendors offering a dizzying arrange of arts, crafts and other products.
Maritime regattas and the Tall Ships are also a big attraction. The barque USCGC Eagle is the only tall ship on active duty in the USA and its homeport is New London. The 295 foot long vessel serves as a training ship for the Unite States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA).
The event is staged in the picturesque and historic Downtown New London Area (DNLA), located at the mouth of the Thames River. New London is one of the smallest cities in the USA, but its boundaries are packed full of rich cultural and historical significance dating back to the Civil War.
New London has a vibrant maritime history and strong association with the USCGA. The military institution was set-up in 1876 as a college to train degree-qualified Coast Guard officers. About 400 cadets gain entry to the academy each year. Admission is based on merit. It is very competitive, applications total more than 2,500. Approximately 200 cadets successfully graduate each year.
Hundreds of visitors arrive to the festival on private yachts. They moor at local marinas many of which offer perfect vantage points to enjoy the fireworks.
All money raised by the festival are used to develop the city. Visitors needing accommodation during the festival might consider staying at Hampton Inn & Suites Mystic. Each of the comfortably-sized rooms and suites offers proprietary bedding, a 32-inch flat screen TV, coffee maker and work desk with ergonomic chair.
Get inside info on the most popular festival on the summer agenda in southeast Connecticut now in our complete guide to the Sailfest and the best hotels In Mystic Connecticut .
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March 20 2011 05:47 am | Vacations