Tall Ships sail into Newport - ABC6 - Providence, RI and New Bedford, MA News, Weather

Tall Ships sail into Newport

by James Swierzbin

JSwierzbin@abc6.com

The Tall Ships are always a big hit when they visit the city by the sea, and when you throw in a forecast of beautiful July weather, there could be record breaking crowds for this year's event.

Newport's streets are already crammed with people, who want to get up close to the 14-Tall Ships, that have sailed into town.

People like Sue Winchester, who came all the way from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to see them.

"It's not something that you see everyday, it's something that's disappearing, it's something that I'm happy to see preserved." said Winchester.

Newport is always busy during the summer, but when you add in the tens of thousands of Tall Ship sight-seerers there is sure to be some congestion.

Event organizers have a plan to ease the problems, they have plenty of parking lots set up.

For 10 bucks you can park, get on a shuttle, and get right to an unloading area near the entrance to the Tall Ships.

"There will be signs on the roads telling them what parking is available. Though the ships close at 5, the shuttles will be available until 8 in case you want to grab dinner, transportation will be there until 8 at night." said Rick McAuliffe, the chairman of Ocean State Tall Ships.

Businesses in and around downtown Newport are also happy to see the Tall Ships sailing into town.

Many didn't see the bump in business they hoped to get from the America's Cup event  last week.

Now places like the Barking Crab are keeping their fingers crossed, that visitors will find their restaurant.

"We're licking our chops, we're excited for it to come into town, and we're hoping to get a boost from it." said The Barking Crab's manager Steve Maniscalco.

Tall Ships organizers are highly encouraging folks to use the off site parking and shuttles.

Tours of the Tall Ships start at 10AM.

There is a fee to see them though, one boarding pass is 12-dollars for an adult $7.50 for kids.

One boarding pass will grant access to all 14-ships.