SALEM — Passengers will have the chance to be whisked away on a harbor cruise during the Salem Maritime Festival next weekend.
The festival will feature free, 90-minute boat rides around the harbor aboard three vessels: the schooner Thomas E. Lannon out of Gloucester; Salem's own schooner Fame; and an education and science vessel, Finback.
Random drawings for the free harbor cruises will be held during the day Saturday, Aug. 7.
In addition to the harbor cruises, there will be hands-on demonstrations, entertainment and activities all day, and kayaks and Friendship's jolly boat for those who want to get a paddle in the water.
For music, the Warszawiaki Orchestra is scheduled to perform from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by Sharks Come Cruisin' from 1 to 3 p.m. and New Bedford Harbor Sea Chantey Chorus from 3 to 5 p.m.
Activities around the Salem Maritime site will include traditional crafts like spinning, coopering, small-craft building and model shipbuilding. There will also be horse-drawn wagon rides and hourly gun demonstrations by the USS Constitution Master Gun Drill Team.
For children, there will be radio-controlled boats, face-painting and kite making on the wharves. Friendship will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with hands-on activities.
The Salem Maritime Festival is set to kick off Friday, Aug. 6, with a sunset concert on the Salem waterfront from 7 to 9 p.m. featuring Mango Blue.
Boat ride schedule
On Saturday, Aug. 7, passengers will be chosen by random drawings for free boat rides. The drawings will be held 30 minutes prior to the departure times listed below:
10 a.m. — Fame (Ticket drawing at 9:30 a.m.)
10:15 a.m. — Finback
10:45 a.m. — Thomas E. Lannon
11:45 a.m. — Fame
Noon — Finback
1:30 p.m. — Fame
Want to go?
What: Salem Maritime Festival
When: Aug. 6 and 7
More information: Visit www.nps.gov/sama
