DANA POINT : Tall Ships, Pirates to Enliven Weekend

Nine historic tall ships from the United States’ nautical past will sail into Dana Point Harbor on Saturday to open the annual Tallships Festival.

The vessels will rendezvous in the ocean somewhere north of Dana Point and stream into the harbor with a Coast Guard escort between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

“It’s a very beautiful and awe-inspiring sight to see these tall ships coming around the point,” said Lucy Francis, a spokesperson for the Orange County Marine Institute, which sponsors the festival. “It’s wonderful vision to see one vessel, but to see nine sailing at one time is incredible.”

After docking the ships will be open to the public. On Saturday at 3:30 p.m., four of the schooners will hold a race, and for $20, would-be sailors can either lend a hand or just come along for the ride.

Sunday at noon, the Royal Privateers, a troupe of actors who dress up as buccaneers, will hold a mock raid at sea. The three-hour sail costs $20.

The weekend event will celebrate “Arts of the Sailor” through a series of music, art and theater productions. All events will take place at the Orange County Marine Institute, at the end of Dana Point Harbor Drive.

“It’s a chance for everyone to learn about our nautical heritage,” said Francis. “It’s also part of our local history, because Dana Point was actually a harbor where trading vessels came to pick up hides.”

Fun will be mixed liberally with education. For the first time, the festival will feature a Privateer Encampment, a role-playing camp featuring 30 pirates.

The buccaneers will stage historical re-enactments of sea battles and hold a treasure hunt for kids.

Another highlight of the weekend will be Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Best of Pirates and Pinafores,” a play that will take place at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday on the Pilgrim tall ship.

Several art booths and exhibits will be open. Some will feature maritime displays of ship models, scrimshaw art, wood carvings and other marine art forms.

For information about the festival, call the institute at (714) 496-2274.