Around a quarter of a million people are expected to descend on Waterford this week to watch almost 90 ships set sail for a race across international waters.
Waterford City is expecting a €20 million spending bonanza as crowds gather to watch the magnificent tall ships sail off on the first leg of the race from Ireland .
Over 3,000 crew members from 21 different countries will join the crowds on Wednesday July 6 next as the four-day festival for the Tall Ships' Races 2005 kicks-off.
John Noonan from the Tall Ships' Committee said: “We think it is going to leave a lasting legacy for Waterford not just the city but the entire south east area. When you invite 250,000 visitors to Waterford they experience the city and countryside.”
The ships will set sail on the initial stage of the race from Ireland for the first time on July 9 when they head for Cherbourg in northern France. The lengthy leg is just the first feat to be overcome with sailors then aiming for Newcastle before heading to Fredrikstad in Norway.
The 87 ships will include the Russian vessel, Kruzenshtern, which is 113.5 metres in length, and the three Irish entrants the Dunbrody, Jeanie Johnston and Asgard II. The Dewaruci, an Indonesian tall ship, which was adopted by Waterford City Council following last year's tsunami disaster in southeast Asia, will also be taking part.
Also expected to attend is a training vessel for the US Coast Guard, the 90 metre long Eagle, which boasts 1, 984 square metres of sail.
Mr Noonan said: “People will be able to go on board and explore the ships during the mornings, given that it is the middle of the school holidays family and children can go on board and explore.”
Organisers said planning for the event has been underway for the past two years with the €1.9 million budget raised from private and public funds.
“There has been a huge voluntary effort, there are a broad range of skills needed from infrastructure, to planning, financing and marketing of the event. A huge effort has gone into planning, now we get the fruits of that,” Mr Noonan said.
“We have encouraged hotels, pubs and restaurants not to put up prices and we are delighted to see the message taken on board as this is important for the tourism industry,” said Mr Noonan, who stressed there were still a small number of hotel rooms available.
“We will be operating a free park and ride service to the centre. It is a free event, entry onto the ships will be free as well,” he added.
Mr Noonan said the whole spectacle of the ships setting sail would be one of the major parts of the entertainment.
The race will begin as almost 90 tall ships sail down the River Suir in formation on the morning of July 9 with the Asgard II ship leading the Parade of Sail to the race start which is five-miles south of Hook Head.
The annual friendly competition will see over 3,000 sailors take part - with at least half of each crew aged between 15 and 25-years and over 70 trainees from Irish schools and colleges involved.
Mr Noonan said some of the other highlights would include over 40 bands playing on seven stages around the city including musicians from Trinidad, Japan and the US.
Some of the festival events will include the official launch on Wednesday, a spectacular fireworks display on next Friday and the funfair. Mr Noonan said the traditional Crews Parade, which will see all the sailors from each of the ships march through the city in formation, was also a sight to behold.