THANK YOU GREEN BAY! GOOD LUCK TO THE SHIPS AS YOU SAIL THE TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE®

2019 proved to be a wonderful weekend for water, wind, Tall Ships® food, and entertainment. Thank you to the ships, volunteers, vendors and partners who helped make this event possible.

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Things to know

The below things to know are for your convenience. If you are at the festival and have more questions be sure to stop by the Wayfinding Welcome Center.

Where can I buy tickets?

Festival tickets are available online at www.tallshipswisconsin.com/tickets and at the Ticket Star Box Office located in the Resch Center. You may also purchase general admission festival tickets at the Bay Park Square Mall, in the management office.

Tickets are available at the gate each day, but we highly recommend purchasing in advance to allow you prompt entrance to the festival grounds. During busy times, there could be lines to purchase tickets at the gate.

What is included in the ticket?

A general admission ticket is valid for one day only (July 26, 27, or 28). The ticket grants access to all festival activities, including but not limited to: dockside touring of the ships, live musical entertainment, educational seminars, interactive children’s activities, vendor shopping areas, and food & beverage tents. Day and sunset excursions require a separate ticket.

Where is the festival?

The festival takes place in downtown Green Bay on the Fox River at Leicht Memorial Park – 128 Dousman Street, Green Bay, WI 54313. Please note the Ray Nitschke Memorial Bridge (Main St.) will be closed at 5 pm on Friday, July 26 and remain closed the duration of the event through Sunday, July 28. Bridge is open to pedestrians.

What are the hours?

Friday, July 26 from 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. with fireworks at approximately 9:30 p.m., Saturday, July 27 from 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. and Sunday, July 28 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Where is WILL CALL located?

All WILL CALL tickets will be available at the main festival gate on the day of the event. The person who ordered the tickets must present a photo ID. If someone other than the person ordering the ticket is picking them up at WILL CALL, Ticket Star will need to be called IN ADVANCE OF JULY 26  (800.895.0071)  to change the name on the WILL CALL tickets.

What are the ticket prices?

General admission festival tickets:

  • $15
  • Children ages 5-12 $10 (children 4 and under are free)
  • Seniors (62+), active military and veterans $13
  • Ticket Star Family Day is Sunday, July 28. Kids ages 5-12 are $5
  • Group discounts (on groups of 10+) save $2 a ticket. Contact kelly.frontuto@pmiwi.com or 920.405.1132
  • Day Sail $60, price includes festival ticket
  • Sunset Sail: $85, price includes festival ticket (approx. 90 minute excursion)

Where can I stay overnight during my trip to the festival?

Our official host hotel, Residence Inn by Marriott Green Bay, is offering discounted rooms.

Residence Inn by Marriott Green Bay
470 Marina Lane Green Bay WI 54304   Phone: (920) 430-1770

There are many hotels in the Green Bay area and many offer great festival packages. Visit www.greenbay.com

Is parking available?

Parking is located on the streets around the festival grounds. Ramp parking is also available in the Cherry Street Ramp located at 202 Cherry St. Cherry Street Ramp parking is automated and the gates are operational 24/7. Fees are charged from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. weekdays; all other hours are free. Current fees are $0.85/hr. with the first 15 minutes free. For the safety and security of event attendees, no parking is available onsite. Bicycle parking is also available.

The Greater Green Bay Convention & Visitor Bureau Trolley Service will also bring attendees to the festival grounds making pick-ups on both sides of the river. Exact locations of those pick-ups will be listed as we get closer to the festival.

If you are arriving on a chartered bus, the bus may drop you at the trolley drop-off and pick-up location at the circle drive off Museum Place by the Neville Public Museum. This is across the street from the entrance of the festival.

Is food and beverage available?

A large variety of festival concessions will be open with covered and uncovered seating areas for your convenience.

What kind of security check will be in place?

Everyone entering the festival with a bag will be subject to a bag search before admittance to the grounds. PMI Entertainment Group (festival producers) reserves the right to alter carry-in item policies at any time.

What can I bring into the festival?

The following items can be carried in to the festival:

  • Umbrellas
  • Strollers (not allowed on sail excursions)
  • Wagons (not allowed on sail excursions)
  • Cameras
  • Small Bag or Purse

The following items cannot be carried in:

  • Drones
  • Backpacks
  • Large bags
  • Coolers
  • Food or beverages
  • Cans or glass bottles
  • Alcohol
  • Contraband or illegal substances
  • Weapons of any kind, including firearms
  • Fireworks
  • Pets (except service animals that perform a specific task for persons with a disability)
  • Laser pointers
  • Lawn chairs during the day hours
  • Skateboards
  • Inline skates
  • Kites
  • Frisbees
  • Picnic baskets

Can I leave the festival and come back in?

Yes. In order to leave and re-enter the grounds free of charge a hand stamp is required. Hand stamps can be obtained upon exit of the grounds. Attendees re-entering the grounds will again need to pass through security.

When do the ships arrive in Green Bay?

The ships are expected to arrive in Green Bay on Thursday afternoon, July 25.  Arrival times are weather and wind dependent. Ships and festival grounds are not open to the public until July 26 at 11 a.m.

What do I need to know about the onboard/sailing experience?

  • Tripping hazards are unavoidable aboard sailing vessels and the highest degree of care and watchfulness is expected of all visitors.
  • Proper footwear will be worn by all visitors boarding a ship (rubber sole shoes, sneaker, or boat shoes). Leather sole shoes are slippery and dangerous on deck. Absolutely no spike heels are permitted aboard a ship.
  • Visitors will not sit on the cap rail, taffrail or bulwarks enclosing the deck.
  • Smoking is not permitted aboard the vessel.
  • Alcoholic beverages are not permitted to be consumed aboard the vessel during the open hours of the festival.
  • No food (including chewing gum) or beverages of any kind will be brought aboard by visitors.
  • Handrails will be used by guests when boarding and departing the vessel. Visitors should not run, jump, or bounce on the gangways or deck.
  • Visitors will not be permitted to climb aloft.
  • A ticket is required for everyone on a ship excursion, regardless of age. Excursions are not recommended for children under the age of 5 and should be able to wear the provided life jacket.

Is there a place I can put my umbrella, purchases, etc.?

Unfortunately there is not a holding area for umbrellas or purchased items. Attendees can bring items to their car and re-enter free of charge with a hand stamp. Attendees re-entering the grounds will again need to pass through security.

What happens if it is raining?

The festival is a rain or shine event. Festival ticket refunds will not be issued due to unfavorable weather. If a sail excursion is canceled due to weather, every accommodation will be made to re-schedule. If a sail excursion cannot be re-scheduled the ticket will be refunded.

Do you accept credit cards on the grounds?

Cash or check is the only payment method accepted for purchasing admission tickets to the festival and although some vendors may accept credit cards, the majority of vendors on the grounds do not accept credit cards. An ATM is available located outside the festival upon entrance to the grounds.

Is the festival ADA accessible?

Festival Grounds

The festival takes place at Leicht Memorial Park which is predominately grass. There is a gravel sidewalk from the main entrance that leads to the ship boardwalk, which is a cement sidewalk, where attendees can view the ships. If you need assistance, passenger carts will make designated stops throughout the festival grounds

On board Tours and Sail Excursions

Due to the limitations of ships built like they were in the 1800s, the ships are not handicap accessible. Ship crews will accommodate visitors as best as possible, within these constraints.

Restrooms

There will be a handicap accessible restroom located by the food and beverage tents.

 

Can I rent a wheelchair or stroller?

Wheelchairs and strollers are not available for rent at the grounds.

Where can I look for something I lost at the festival?

Lost & found location will be determined at a later date. Please check back.

What if I get ill or injured while on the grounds?

If you get ill or injured while on the ground please notify a festival staff member, security member, Green Bay Police or Green Bay Fire Department official. Basic first-aid supplies are available.

How do I apply for a festival media credential? (for working media only)

For media questions please contact:

Terry Charles – Senior Corporate Communications Manager
(920) 405.1194 or email

How can I reserve a vendor booth for my organization or company?

Please contact Tessah.Dolata@pmiwi.com to inquire about being a vendor or getting a booth.