Parking & Shuttles
Tall Ship Celebration guests can take advantage of two primary parking areas. Follow the directional signs to the lot you prefer.
Free parking is available at 101 Woodside at the Bay City Powertrain plant.
Paid parking ($5.00 per car/per day) is available behind Bay City Hall at 301 Washington.
Free shuttle service is available from Bay Metro Transit. Shuttle buses are accessible, serve both parking lots and provide transportation to both Veterans Memorial and Wenonah Parks.
Accessibility
Guests with physical disabilities are encouraged to take advantage of the accessible shuttle service from both free and paid parking lots.
While both Veterans Memorial and Wenonah Park are accessible, traditionally-rigged sailing vessels, by their very nature, are not. Every effort is made by Tall Ship Celebration volunteers and the crew of visiting Tall Ships to interpret vessels for those who will find it difficult to board them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the festival grounds?
Tall Ships will line both sides of the Saginaw River in Downtown Bay City. The festival grounds include both Veterans Memorial Park (west side) and Wenonah Park (east side). A free shuttle provides transportation to both and to parking lots.
How much is Admission?
There are two ways to enjoy Tall Ship Celebration. If you want to get the full experience and you want to board and tour the visiting Tall Ships, you'll need a Souvenir Passport. The Passport includes festival admission Thursday-Sunday and the opportunity to tour vessels. If you want to attend the festival, but don't really care to board the ships, you can purchase a Daily Admission ticket.
| Souvenir Passports | $12.00 per person if purchased before June 30 |
| (Available after May 1st) | $15.00 per person if purchased July 1 or later |
| Daily Admission | $6.00 per person |
Passports available at:
Tickets available at tickets gates.
Is this a family oriented event?
Absolutely! People of all ages are awed by the sight of Tall Ships, but none more so than our younger guests. Tall Ship Celebration and many arts and cultural organizations in Bay City have created a full agenda of activities to entertain and inspire children and families. Almost all of them are available at no additional charge once you enter the festival grounds.
What is the price for children?
Tall Ship Celebration has taken the "theme park" approach to admission for younger guests. If your child is 36" tall or less, they can enter at no charge. Remember: Once inside the festival, almost everything is free including a number of hands-on craft activities!
Where can I buy tickets?
Tickets - or Passports in our case - will be available after May 1st. They can be ordered through this website (see Order Tickets) or over the phone (888.229.8696).
Are coolers allowed?
Coolers and bottles are not allowed inside the festival grounds. Vendors will be available throughout the festival and food and beverages may be purchased from them.
Where can I park?
Guests are strongly encouraged to park in one of two designated Tall Ship Celebration parking lots and to take advantage of the free shuttle service. A Free Parking Lot is available at 101 Woodside (General Motors Powertrain plant) and a Paid Parking Lot is available behind Bay City Hall at 301 Washington. Follow the directional signs to the lot of your choice.
What other communities are the ships visiting this summer?
The American Sail Training Association's 2006 Tall Ships Challenge will begin in Cleveland, Ohio July 12-16. Ships will be in Bay City July 20-24 before traveling to Green Bay, Wisconsin July 27-31 and Chicago, Illinois August 3-9.
What are the hours?
Tall Ships Celebration: Bay City will open to the public on Thursday, July 20 at 12:00 noon. Guests can spend the afternoon watching ships arrive and witness the "organized chaos" of getting them safely secured. Friday-Sunday, July 21-23, the gates will open at 10:00 a.m. Ship tours end each day (Friday - Sunday) at 5:00 p.m. The park will close each evening at 5:00 p.m.
Wenonah Park gates will open again at 6:00 p.m. Thursday & Friday, July 20 & 21 for guests attending free concerts in the Friendship Shell amphitheater. Veterans Memorial Park gates will open at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 22 for guests attending the REO Speedwagon concert produced by the Bay Arts Council.
Is this event accessible to people with disabilities?
The festival grounds and shuttle buses are accessible to guests with limited mobility. Tall Ships, by their very nature, are not.
Don't the Tall Ships visit Bay City every year?
The American Sail Training Association's Tall Ships Challenge fleet has visited the Great Lakes twice before in 2001 and in 2003. After the 2006 tour, they are not expected to be in the Great Lakes again until 2010. Don't miss your opportunity to see them now!
