GREEN BAY, WI --- Against a nautical backdrop of the S/V Denis Sullivan, Wisconsin 's Flagship, Green Bay Tall Ship Tours, Inc. announced in August 2005, plans for the 2006 Baylake Bank Tall Ships® Festival July 27-31, 2006 at the Port of Green Bay. .
This will mark the fourth year that Baylake Bank has been the presenting sponsor of tall ship events in Green Bay, but this time is different. The 2006 Baylake Bank Tall Ships® Festival is stepping up a notch, and promises to be one of the largest events in downtown Green Bay history, drawing an estimated 50,000 people over four days.
That's because for the first time, Green Bay will also serve as an official host port of the American Sail Training Association (ASTA) TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® Race Series. Instead three ships, as in past events, a fleet of ten to 16 ASTA tall ships will arrive at the Port of Green Bay on July 27, 2006. That's when the four-day 2006 Baylake Bank Tall Ships® Festival begins.
“This is a great opportunity for downtown Green Bay,” said Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt. “We want this city to be known for family festivals and we're committed to making this the ‘can't-miss' event of the year,” Schmitt said. “We are very thankful for Baylake Bank's investment in our community.”
Baylake Bank recently opened the Baylake Bank City Center downtown in the former Boston Store building, which has served as a tremendous catalyst to downtown economic development efforts.
“Baylake Bank's history extends back to 1876, and by supporting the 2006 Baylake Bank Tall Ships® Festival, we continue our tradition of community support by sponsoring this quality and unique attraction for our area. We hope to provide residents throughout Northeast Wisconsin and beyond with the opportunity to enjoy a bit of nautical history,” said Thomas Herlache, Baylake Bank President and CEO.
Baylake Bank serves Northeast and Central Wisconsin from 27 community financial centers in Brown, Door, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Outagamie, Waupaca and Waushara Counties, and from their website at
www.baylake.com.
2006 BAYLAKE BANK TALL SHIP FESTIVAL 2006 HIGHLIGHTS
With 10 to 16 ships lining the banks of the Fox River, the 2006 Baylake Bank Tall Ships® Festival will take place in three pavilions. One will be named the WPS Pavilion. Each of the three pavilions will feature a myriad of maritime activities, food and beverage, and entertainment. The committee is actively seeking corporate sponsorship to name the other two pavilions.
Once the ships are in port, the 2006 Baylake Bank Tall Ships® Festival will feature an elaborate maritime festival with ship tours, sailing excursions, nautical displays, crew competitions, live bands every day and into the evenings, historical re-enactors, children's games and more. The event will draw visitors from Wisconsin and the surrounding states, and will have an economic impact of $2.2 million.
“There will be so many ships and activities, that it would be hard for people to see it all in one day, so we will be promoting weekend packages for visitors who want to make this a nautical adventure for their entire family.” said Kari Sliva, President of the Packer Country Visitor and Convention Bureau.
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