In 2018, Lake Superior Tall Ships sponsored a new annual event in Bayfield! During the 1st Annual Bayfield Classic Boat & Schooner Rendezvous, seven unique vessels visited the city on the weekend after Labor Day. In conjunction with the visit, we organized a Saturday afternoon boat parade along with other nautical-themed events, concerts and demonstrations. Participating organizations in 2018 included LSTS, the Bayfield Heritage Association, the Bayfield Carnegie Library, the Bayfield Coast Guard Station, the Bayfield Sea Scout Ship 336 and the Bayfield Maritime Museum.
For 2019, we are inviting more boats and more organizations, and planning more activities for this very special three-day event!
Schedule of Events
Visitors are welcome to stroll the waterfront all weekend and experience the dynamic nautical history of Bayfield, the Apostle Islands and Lake Superior at:
the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Headquarters
(Fri, Sat & Sun 8am to 4:30pm)the Bayfield Maritime Museum
(Fri & Sat 10am to 7pm, Sunday 10am to 5pm)and the Bayfield Heritage Association
(Fri & Sat 2pm to 5pm, Closed Sunday)
Kids can learn How to Talk Like a Pirate, Joke like a Pirate and enjoy Pirate’s Booty Ice Cream at the Bayfield Carnegie Library on Friday at 3:30. Browse their selection of nautical books on Saturday (Sat 9:30am to 3pm).
Boats will be arriving throughout the day on Friday and the public is invited to Meet & Greet the Crews on the Bayfield city dock from 5 pm to 6 pm.
Shanties and Shipwrecks at Big Top Chautauqua Friday 7 pm
Traditional small craft and their builders will be on display in the city park on Saturday
US Coast Guard Station Bayfield will have an open house on Saturday.
Stop by Bay Fisheries (9am to 5pm) and Bodin’s Fisheries (8am to 4pm) and pick up some local fresh or smoked fish.
The highlight on Saturday will be the Boat Parade from 1–3pm on the lake in front of Bayfield.
The visiting boats will be departing at various times on Sunday. Be on watch for two or more boats casting off at the same time as an impromptu race may be about to begin!
Location
Multiple locations around Bayfield, including the City Dock, the Pavilion, the Bayfield Maritime Museum, the Bayfield Heritage Association, the Bayfield Carnegie Library, and the Fishing Docks.
Fees/Admission
There is no admission fee to walk the docks, stroll the park, visit the Bayfield museums or browse the library. However free-will donations are appreciated at the participating organizations.
Thank You To Our Event Sponsors!
Funded In Part By The Apostle Islands Area Community Fund, An Affiliate Of The Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation.
With the generous support of our sponsors, we hope to greatly expand this event and attract more visitors to the area on this normally quiet weekend after Labor Day.
Our sponsorship needs range from in-kind donations to cash sponsorships. We offer several levels of sponsorship, with varying levels of benefit for your business. We also need volunteers to help with a variety of jobs prior to during and after the event.
2018 Classic Boat & Schooner Rendezvous