(Gloucester Schooner Festival schedule subject to change)

Click here for downtown Gloucester parking information.

Friday, September 2, 2016

All Day Arrival of Participating Vessels.

5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Mayor’s Reception for invited guests (ticketed event)

6:00 pm
Gloucester Block Party, The Gloucester Block parties are fun, festive events that bring downtown to life! A portion of Main Street is closed off between 5:00 and 10:00 PM, allowing for music, entertainment and outdoor dining and shopping. This family-friendly event has something for everyone! Find Details information at gloucesterblockparty.com.

6:30 pm
Maritime Gloucester’s Gala (ticketed event)  Contact Maritime Gloucester for reservations and information.

Saturday, September 3, 2016

10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Maritime Gloucester Heritage Day
Maritime Gloucester, located at 23 Harbor Loop in downtown Gloucester, will host its annual Heritage Day celebration from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The event is free to the public.

4:00 pm
Lobster Bake @ The Gloucester House
Enjoy the open air dock atmosphere of the Cafe Seven Seas with lobster, corn and chips for $15. Cash bar. Entertainment.

7:00 pm
Private Fireworks Viewing from Beauport Museum
Watch Gloucester’s annual Schooner Festival fireworks display from the terrace and lawn of Beauport. Treat yourself to an abridged evening tour as the house transforms at night. Bring blankets, chairs, picnics, and mosquito spray. Candles are prohibited. Adults and children over twelve only, please. $12 Historic New England members, $20 nonmembers.  Registration is required. Please call 978-283-0800 to purchase tickets.

7:00 pm
Boat Parade of Lights
The annual Boat Parade of Lights begins at dusk at Jones Creek on the Annisquam River, travels down the river, through the drawbridge and into Gloucester Harbor, ending in the Smith’s Cove area of the harbor. Click here for information on joining the Lighted Boat Parade.

9:15 pm
Fireworks Display over Gloucester Harbor. (following Parade of Lights, time approximate)
(The Gloucester Fireworks Committee is in need of more donations for the Labor Day weekend fireworks. Donations may be made to The Gloucester Fund, 45 Middle St., Gloucester, MA 01930. Please notate “fireworks” on your donation.)

Sunday, September 4, 2016

8:30 am
Skippers Meeting
This meeting is required for all Schooners sailing in the Mayor’s Race.  Meet at Solomon Jacobs Park, immediately adjacent to the U.S. Coast Guard Station on Harbor Loop.

10:30 am
Private Parade of Sail Viewing from Beauport Museum
Sunday, September 4, 10:30 a.m.
Visit Beauport for some of the best views of the annual Gloucester Schooner Festival’s Parade of Sail. Watch schooners sail to the Eastern Point Light breakwater to begin the Mayor’s race for the Esperanto Cup. Coffee and light breakfast refreshments are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring blankets and/or chairs and other refreshments if preferred. The house is not available for tours during this event. $10 Historic New England members, $15 nonmembers.
Registration is required. Please call 978-283-0800 to purchase tickets.

10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Parade of Sail as Schooners proceed from Inner Harbor, past the Fishermen’s Memorial on Stacy Boulevard, to the race starting area off Eastern Point.

11:00 am to 1:30 pm
Shuttle Bus to Eastern Point Light, from Eastern Point Gate (Eastern Point Boulevard at Farrington Avenue) to watch the start of the Mayor’s Race. Free ofCharge, courtesy of Cape Ann Transportation Authority.

1:00 pm
Start of Mayor’s Race for the Esperanto Cup, Ned Cameron Trophy and Betty Ramsey Trophy off Eastern Point.

6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Reception and Awards Ceremony
for captains, crews and invited guests (ticketed event)

As always, for a more comprehensive list of family activities, please visit our friends at North Shore Kid