The 39th Annual Gloucester Schooner Festival is back for another spectacular Labor Day weekend, beginning on Thursday, August 31, 2023. A weekend of heritage and maritime events culminates with the highly anticipated Mayor’s Cup Schooner Race on Sunday, September 3, 2023 off from Gloucester’s back shore. This beloved regional event, a program of Maritime Gloucester, has evolved into an annual pilgrimage for schooners and a cherished community-wide celebration of Gloucester Harbor’s rich maritime legacy.
Press Days:
Members of the press are cordially invited to schedule appointments prior to the Festival during the following times:
Thursday, August 31: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Friday, September 1: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Email for Press Inquiries:
To schedule a time-slot for pre-Festival interviews, please contact Elizabeth Carey at ecarey@maritimegloucester.org.
The Gloucester Schooner Festival is rooted in fishing traditions dating back hundreds of years. Paying homage to Gloucester’s age of sail, the Gloucester Schooner Festival gathers schooners from up and down the Eastern seaboard to partake in thrilling races and showcase their elegance both on water and as dockside attractions. With more than 20 schooners gracing the event, attendees can witness these majestic vessels along Gloucester Harbor’s piers. A highlight of the weekend is Maritime Gloucester’s Maritime Heritage Day, a 3-location event that offers engaging hands-on, interactive activities for the whole family, while affording guests of the Festival opportunities to get on board, both dockside and under sail.
Featured Schooners:
Ernestina Morrisey, Massachusetts Flagship: Docked at the Maritime Gloucester Pier
Ardelle, Flagship of Maritime Gloucester: Docked at the Maritime Gloucester Pier
Thomas E. Lannon, Docked at Seven Seas Wharf
Adventure, National Historic Landmark, Docked at the I4C2 Schooner Docks
Denis Sullivan, World Ocean School, Docked at I4C2 Schooner Docks
This event, the pinnacle of the summer, is steeped in history and offers many activities and opportunities for enthusiasts to interact closely with these traditional wooden ships. Drawing thousands each year, the Gloucester Schooner Festival has solidified its place as a cherished Labor Day weekend tradition. We encourage you to share the word and join us in commemorating this wonderful maritime heritage celebration.
For detailed insights into the event’s history and schedule, kindly visit the official Gloucester Schooner Festival website at www.maritimegloucester.org
Good Morning Gloucester 