Falmouth will play host to the start of the Funchal 500 Tall Ships Regatta, with a fleet of some 20 Tall Ships arriving by midday on Wednesday 10th September for four days of entertainment and spectacle before leaving on Saturday 13th September in a Parade of Sail preceding the race start.
The large square rigged vessels will be berthed in Falmouth Docks, which will be open for the public to visit from Wednesday 10th through to Friday 12th September. The opening times will be 11.00 am until 7.30 pm on Wednesday and 10.00 am until 7.30 pm on Thursday and Friday. In the event area in the Docks there will be a Skinner’s Bar and food stalls. The smaller ships taking part in the Regatta may be seen at Port Pendennis Marina with viewing points from the Maritime Museum walkway or Events Square.
In addition to the visiting Tall Ships, during the four days there will be an extensive programme of activities throughout the town including markets, music, entertainment, exhibitions and a firework spectacular.
Samantha Groom, Tourism Officer for Carrick District Council said; “It is important that Falmouth has facilities in place to maximise the economic impact of the Tall Ship’s visit. Various working groups and partnerships have been formed and as a result there will be an extensive programme of activities over the four days”.
Church Street Car Park will be closed as a car park and will play host to a local food, craft and gifts marquee, a Skinner’s bar area, entertainment and street performers. Here visitors will be able to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a magnificent view of the Tall Ships in the Docks. Known as the Regatta Shopping Village, the site will be open to the public from 11.00 am until 10.30 pm. Custom House Quay will also be car free allowing visitors to enjoy the Quays facilities to the full.
Events Square will become the Regatta Entertainment Centre, with a programme of children’s activities, entertainment and live music. The Princess Pavilion will be hosting the crew party and also be providing day time activities and live music evenings during the event. The firework display will take place on Friday 12th September at 9.30 pm.
From Wednesday 10th September to Saturday 13th September the following roads will be closed from 11.00 am until 11.00 pm:
The Moor NE of the roundabout
Market Street
Church Street
Arwennack Street (up to Swanpool Street)
Quay Hill & Quay Street
Custom House Quay
For further information on road closures and arrangements for businesses in the town please contact David Pollard, Town Manager on 01326 313553.
For up to date information on all of the activities taking place as part of the Funchal 500 Tall Ships Regatta in Falmouth, keep a look-out at www.falmouthtallships.co.uk
The Funchal 500 Tall Ships Regatta is organised by Sail Training International as the centre-piece celebration of the 500th anniversary of Funchal, capital of the island of Madeira. The official website of the event, which will include tracking the fleet when the race is under way, is www.tallshipsraces.com/funchal500.
The official partners for the event in Falmouth are Carrick District Council as the lead accountable body, Falmouth Tall Ships Association, Cornwall County Council, South West Regional Development Agency, A&P Falmouth, Falmouth Harbour Commissioners, Cornwall Marine Network, Port Pendennis Marina, National Maritime Museum Cornwall, and Falmouth Town Council.