Festival Events
General 3 Day Weekend Admission is $5.00 per person.
Children 5 and under are free.
Tickets for the Michigan Schooner Festival will now be on sale at the Admissions and Ticketing Tent beginning at 4pm Friday Sept, 9th at the Traverse City Open Space.
MHA Maritime History exhibit and boat building demonstrations will be on display for the entire weekend.
Entertaining Children's games and activites will be available throughout the weekend.
Captain Robert “Edward Teach” Barbanegra and Crew of the Armed Sloop
“CRYSTA” will be sailing into Traverse City - ta pillage the village
at the Schooner Festival – We be lookin forwards ta meetin all da
little Swabs an Mates an ta sharing da games dat Pirates played aboard
ship. We’ll be telling a Yarn or two an singen pirate tunes an having
a good piraten time. - Yo Ho it’s a Pirates life fer me!!!!
Cash - Visa - Mastercard will all be accepted at the entrance gate.
A $5 general weekend admission pass grants you a tour of the three
Maritime Heritage Alliance ships on display.
Michigan Schooner Festival Food Court - This delicious showcase of local restaurants is open for business at 10:00am! Be there to sample some of Traverse City's favorites.
| Wine & Beer Tasting Event Friday and Saturday evenings, 5 to 8 pm |
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Art exhibitors will also be on site throughout the festival. Afeatured local exhibitor is Korner Gem.
| Friday, September 09, 2011 - gates open 4-9pm | |
| Entertainment by Joy Ride and Blue Shadow MHA History exhibit and boat building demonstration all day |
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3:30 PM |
Boarding ships for Grand Parade of Sail – ticketed event |
4:00 PM |
Ring of Steel Pirates |
4:00 PM |
Food Court opens, Children's activities featuring the Brethren of the Great Lakes |
5:00 PM |
Local Wine and beer tasting - ticketed event |
6:00 PM |
Opening Ceremony |
7:00 PM |
Grand Parade of Sail presented by Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel and Leelanau Sands Casino & Lodge |
9:00 PM |
Festival Closes |
| Saturday, September 10, 2011 - gates open 9-9pm | |
| Entertainment throughout the day by Good Harbor, Cabin Fever and Joy Ride | |
| MHA History exhibit and boat building demonstration all day | |
9 AM - 3:00 PM |
Dry land regata is 9 am to 3 pm. Dry Land Regatta – see home built wooden boats |
9:30 AM |
Schooner Sails on bay start - ticketed event |
10:00 AM |
Food Court and Children's tent open featuring the Brethren of the Great Lakes |
11:00 AM |
Life Saving Demonstration by Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore... |
1:00 PM |
Life Saving Demonstration by US Coast Guard Helicopter – The new way |
3:00 PM |
Ring of Steel Pirate Troupe |
5:00 PM |
Local Wine and beer tasting - ticketed event |
7:00 PM |
Sunset Schooner Sails - ticketed event |
7:00 PM |
Ring of Steel Pirate Troupe |
9:00 PM |
Festival Closes |
| Sunday, September 11, 2011 - gates open 9-3pm | |
| Entertainment by Handy Billy | |
8:30 AM |
Special 9/11 Memorial Tribute and Dedication by the Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department |
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM |
Pancakes with Pirates and Ring of Steel Pirate Troupe - ticketed event |
10:00 AM |
Ships start tours of the bay - ticketed event |
3:00 PM |
Festival Closes |
Visit our FAQ page for answers to some commonly asked questions.
Grand Traverse Bay Sailing Tour - A relaxing luxurious voyage, cool breezes with an unmatched view...sound good? Then this event is for you! Take this unique opportunity to sail on a schooner across Traverse City's own West Bay! Each unforgettable sailing tour is 2 hours of high seas adventure.
Friends Goodwill, Appledore V, Armed Sloop Welcome, Denis Sullivan, Inland Seas and Manitou sailings are $50.00 each, includes 3 day admission to the Festival.
Song of the Lakes will be playing aboard Manitou on Friday evening for the Parade of Sail. Schooner Manitou will feature "Song of the Lakes" playing lively jigs and sea chanteys during the Parade of Sail. $60 per adult, $40 per child. Call 800-678-0383 for reservations.
Click here to purchase Michigan Schooner Festival West Bay Sailing Tour Tickets