Gloucester

Bring the family to see this newly-restored Gloucester schooner, learn some maritime history and have some fun! The Schooner Adventure will be hosting an Open House with free admission at the Gloucester Marine Railways on Rocky Neck as part of the Captains Corageous Festival! The open house includes:

Join Gloucester Mayor Carolyn Kirk as she reads aloud 'Skippy Finds Adventure' aboard Schooner Adventure! This new children's book is about Skippy, a dog who found his home aboard the Adventure for 16 years.  Meet the creators of the book, and explore the vessel that Skippy called home!

Join the Cape Ann Museum for a walking tour of Fitz Henry Lane's Gloucester for Trails & Sails 2012. Stroll through this nineteenth century maritime artist's Gloucester neighborhood. Walk past some of the views captured in his landscape paintings and learn about Lane's active participation in the community. Finish at the Cape Ann Museum which is home to the preeminent collection of paintings and drawings by Fitz Henry Lane.

The Fish Box Derby Race is a family event that focuses on teamwork and fun! Contestants race their own cars, built on their design and with the assistance of their parent, grandparent, or other adult influence in their lives. Boys and Girls from ages eight to fourteen are eligible to enter (there are no fees to enter). The cars reflect each individual style and mechanical abilities.

Food, music, live entertainment, dance, craft and fun come together for a great family time at the Downtown Gloucester Block every Third Saturday through September! Five music stages, shopping 'til 11pm, outside sidewalk dining, live dance performances and all kinds of other fun things to do make the streets come alive. Kids will love the singers and roaming magician, and they'll find games, facepainting, kids snacks, balloons, giant chess and more in 'Kids Town'!

Get ready for Back to School, save water, save energy, do the planet some good and protect your electronic valuables all at the same time! Looptworks will be at the Cape Ann Farmers' Market in Gloucester and encourages you to come by and and check out their great iPad, iPhone, Tablet and laptop computer sleeves made of UPCYCLED excess wetsuit neoprene fabric.  They're perfect for the summer, perfect for back to school, look great and are a perfect solution for protecting your beloved gadgets in a padded protective sleeve.

From 1884 – 1917, Mason A. Walton lived a hermit's life in Ravenswood Park. He closely observed, wrote, and drew about wildlife behaviors and published a book in 1903. As we walk in his footsteps to the site of his cabin, we'll track signs of wildlife just as Walton did. Along the way we'll share tales from his book A Hermit's Wild Friends, only available used from Amazon: A Hermit's Wild Friends

Maritime Gloucester is hosting its 9th annual Heritage Day this weekend in honor of the Gloucester Schooner Festival.  Come see the schooners docked at the pier inluding the Ardelle, the Spirit of Massachusetts, and Summerwind.  Admission is FREE for the day. There will be live music, hand crafted maritime gifts, and art exhibit created by the community, touch tanks and exhibits and lots of fun activities for kids!

The Gloucester Schooner Festival is Gloucester’s major marine event, with participating vessels coming from ports along the Eastern Seaboard. There will be both large and small vessels—ranging from 19 feet to over 100 feet in length. You will see new boats and old boats, from newly built to over 100 years old!