Sailfest 3 Days Of Festivity For Landlubbers & Sea Dogs Alike
Sailfest is one of the most popular festivals on the summer agenda in southeast Connecticut. Held in New London during July, the festival attracts over 300,000 people during its three-day program. Hampton Inn and Suites Hotel is conveniently located at Mystic, a few miles east of New London, to serve as an accommodation base for visitors out-of-towners attending the festival. Both towns are seaports.
Festival entertainment is in many instances provided free. Fun runs, whaler cruises and amusement rides are all on offer. A big mix of music acts perform at Customs House, City Pier and Hygienic Art Park. Pop, rock, jazz, blues, hip hop and Celtic are all on offer.
Fireworks are a particularly strong favorite. They are typically scheduled on the Saturday night of the festival. The display organized at the festival is considered the second biggest display of fireworks in the northeast. It is offered to the public under the sponsorship by the Mashantucket Pequot Nation. This native American tribal people are the original inhabitants of the area predating the arrival of Europeans.
Maritime regattas, including the Tall Ships, are another strong favorite. The 295 foot long barque US Coast Guard cutter Eagle is regularly a well-attended attraction at the festival. This vessel is the only tall ship remaining on active duty for the USA. Its homeport is New London as part of the US Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) based on the river at the northern perimeter of the town.
New London has a vibrant maritime history and strong association with the USCGA. The military institution was set-up in 1876 as a college to train degree-qualified Coast Guard officers. About 400 cadets gain entry to the academy each year. Admission is based on merit. It is very competitive, applications total more than 2,500. Approximately 200 cadets successfully graduate each year.
Upon graduation, cadets are commissioned as ensigns. They receive a bachelor of science degrees majoring in one of eight offered specialties, namely, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, naval architecture & marine engineering, operations research a& computer analysis, marine & environmental sciences, government and management. Approximately 400 new cadets enter the academy each summer and about 200 graduate.
The Downtown New London Association (DNLA) has organized Sailfest for the past seven years. The DNLA is a non-profit organization. All funds raised during the festival are donated back to the city via support for other local organizations. Visitors requiring accommodation can elect to enjoy Hampton Inn and Suites, Mystic. The hotel offers spacious rooms and suites, deluxe amenities and services, including a complimentary breakfast each morning, high-speed Internet access, an on-site fitness center and indoor heated saltwater pool.
Get inside info on the most popular festival on the summer agenda in southeast Connecticut now in our complete guide to the Sailfest and the best hotels In Mystic Connecticut .