Tall Ship Celebration would not be possible without the passion and dedication of volunteers who enthusiastically give of their own time and make sure our guests receive all the assistance they require. Each year that we have had the honor of hosting the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® Great Lakes fleet, we have been fortunate to work with 500 or more volunteers who have made Tall Ship Celebration one of our region’s most successful events.

Volunteers are required to attend an orientation meeting prior to the event and must commit to work a minimum of 2 shifts during the festival. Tall Ship Celebration is an outdoor event and our volunteers spend a lot of time in the sun and on their feet. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old to participate.

Volunteers receive a volunteer t-shirt and have access to a shaded break area and drinking water during their shifts. Volunteers who commit to work at least 2 shifts also receive a Souvenir Passport. All who donate their time and talents are invited to a Volunteer Recognition party which will be held shortly after the event.

2019 Volunteer Sponsor

Interested in volunteering? Click below to sign up!

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The investment of local businesses in Tall Ship Celebration is critical to our efforts to produce an award-winning maritime festival. To recognize the businesses and organizations that support the event, Tall Ship Celebration has created hospitality activities that are available only to its sponsors and invited VIP’s. Hospitality activities provide you the opportunity to interact one-on-one with representatives of Tall Ship Celebration sponsor companies, elected officials and invited guests. Consider the benefits of sponsoring one of the following business-to-business opportunities.

Welcome Tall Ships Reception aboard Princess Wenonah - $7,500
Up to 125 sponsors and invited guests will board the excursion vessel Princess Wenonah and head into the Saginaw Bay to greet the arriving tall ship fleet. The Welcome Tall Ships Reception provides a captive audience of influential business and government leaders who will be among the first to witness magnificent tall ships as they enter the Saginaw River. Entertainment, food and beverages are provided.

Ballads and Brews - (1) $7,500 (1) $5,000
When Tall Ship Celebration ends for the day, fun-loving music lovers gather at Ballads and Brews in Veterans Memorial Park for the best in “sailor music,” lively entertainment and Michigan craft brewed beers. Entertainers in 2019 include Za Horyzontem and Sasiedzi (Poland), El Poni Pisador (Spain), Tom Mason and the Blue Buccaneers (Tennessee), Bocca Musica (Detroit) and the popular Celtic Jam (as seen on Delta QTV).

Roaming Entertainment (Stilt-Walkers) - $5,000
Roaming family entertainment provided by two of the “High Five Guys” stilt-walking team will delight people of all ages and engage guests waiting in ship boarding lines.

“Color our World” Giant Mosaic Mural - $3,000
With the artistic guidance of our presenting partner (Mid-Michigan Children’s Museum), visitors to Tall Ship Celebration: Bay City will be invited to grab a paint brush and add their own artistic expression to “tiles” that will form a giant mosaic in Wenonah Park. A local artist will create the image that will eventually become a 6’ x 40’ mural over the course of the weekend.

Scrimshaw Art - $750
Volunteers will lead guests in an activity that replicates scrimshaw artistry on special Yupo paper.

For more information about these or any other sponsorship opportunities, please contact Shirley Roberts at (989) 895-5193 or shirleyr@baysailbaycity.org.

Since planning its first event in 2001, the Tall Ship Celebration Board of Directors has been committed to maximizing the economic impact of this world class maritime festival for others in our community and region. The Board invites the participation of arts and cultural organizations to be presenting partners of many activities throughout the event. Together with these organizational partners, Tall Ship Celebration has created a full schedule of activities and entertainment that enhance the event, provide important exposure for our partners and allow our guests to enjoy “mostly free” family fun. A sponsor investment in one of the above entertainment or craft activities provides much needed support for the presenting arts and cultural organization as well as for Tall Ship Celebration.

Become a Vendor

Are you interested in becoming a vendor at Tall Ship Celebration 2019? We are still accepting a limited number of applications for Veterans Memorial Park. All applications are subject to review and approval.

Please review the information in the cover letter and application below. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at (989) 895-5193 or by email to info@tallshipcelebration.com.

Coming soon.