Tall Ships Festival kicks off

NEWPORT, R.I. (WPRI) - Historic tall ships have arrived in Rhode Island for a festival that organizers say could attract as many as 200,000 people.

• Complete Coverage: Ocean State Tall Ships

Several ships arrived in Newport Thursday, one day before The Ocean State Tall Ships Festival formally begins.

More than a dozen ships are expected for the festival that runs through Monday.

"It's going to liven up the harbor with, yards and masts all over the place. And it's gonna create a spectacular picture," said Captain Jamie Trost of "Pride of Baltimore."

Sailors from around the world come out to showcase their ships in a majestic parade on the water.

"The seamen on these ships are young seafarers, young men and women, they become shipmates around the world with other sailing ship crew and mariners," said Captain Daniel Moreland, Barque, "Picton Castle."

Many of the ships are rich in history.

"The Privateer Lynx is a replica of a privateer from the war of 1812. Of course, as you know, we're coming up on the bicentennial of that," said Captain John Beebe of "Privateer Lynx."

Unlike previous tall ship events which were more spread out, this year's event will be based along the city's downtown waterfront to maximize the impact on local restaurants, shops and hotels.

Newport last hosted a gathering of tall ships in 2007.