By Angeljean Chiaramida
Staff writer
July 09, 2008 03:51 am SALISBURY — Organizing the upcoming Merrimack River Maritime Heritage Festival is the job of the Salisbury Beach Partnership, but it takes a whole community to accommodate an event that brings three historic sailing ships and welcomes thousands of people who want to view them. The support for the event among residents and town officials has been wonderful, said Beach Partnership Director Kathy Aiello. She and other members of the Salisbury Beach business community are aware the town's roads, police, fire and other services will be busy from July 17-20, when three, tall-masted sailing ships anchor off Salisbury's coast. The partnership, in conjunction with the Institution for Savings, has planned a special way to thank Salisbury residents, Aiello said. "This Institution for Savings and the Salisbury Beach Partnership is sponsoring Friday Ship Preview Passes for the residents from 3 to 6 (p.m.) on Friday," Aiello said yesterday. "There are a limited number of tickets available, and they will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis at the Salisbury Square Branch of the Institution for Savings beginning on Friday, July 11." Without this special offer, tickets for ship visits cost $5 each, Aiello said, although other events offered during the festival are free. To obtain two of the few hundred free tickets available, residents must present proof of Salisbury residency, such as a tax bill with the resident's name and Salisbury street address combined with a picture ID, or a valid driver's license with a Salisbury address. "One set of (two) tickets will be issued to each resident while supplies last," Aiello said. "With the pass, admission to the (three) ships will be free." In addition, to honor Salisbury's senior citizens, Salisbury's SPS New England is sponsoring the Senior Appreciation Tour and Social, also on Friday, July 18. Courtesy of Partnership President and SPS New England owner Wayne Capolupo, this provides Salisbury's older residents a chance to visit the ships before the crowds arrive. Seniors can enjoy this special preview from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., which including ship tours and social hour at the Reservation Pavilion with refreshments. The senior appreciation tour includes free shuttle bus transportation, with buses leaving from Hilton Senior Center, as well as Great Meadows, Bayberry Point and Wingate housing complexes. To sign up, seniors should call the Salisbury Council of Aging at 978-462-2412. Tours include walking through sandy beach areas, down a few steps and over a long dock. There will be steps and extended periods of standing. Light refreshments will be offered at the Pavilion at the Salisbury State Beach Reservation for those with physical limitations who prefer not to tour the ships but to view them from land. The three Class A and B ships visiting Salisbury are: r The 170-foot, 400-ton, three-masted Mystic, out of Mystic, Conn. r The 140-foot, 148-ton, two-masted schooner The Spirit of South Carolina, out of Charleston, South Carolina. r The 83-year old, Essex-built, 137-foot, two-masted Roseway, out of Boston. Ships will arrive Thursday and Friday, July 17 and 18, and will anchor on the Merrimack River side of Salisbury State Beach Reservation, parallel to the Reservation's Pavilion. Visitors will access to the ships for tours via a barge bridge to be built over the coming days. For those who park at the Reservation during their visit to the ships, the standard parking cost of $7 will be in effect, even for those with complimentary tickets. Parking is free for those who have purchased an annual Department of Conservation and Recreation State Park pass. For those who walk to the ships or who go by shuttle buses run by the partnership, there will be no fee. For more information on the Merrimack River Maritime Heritage Festival, visit www.beachfests.org.
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