Three original tall ships will sail into Hobsons Bay on Thursday for the inaugural week-long Williamstown Seaport Festival.
The event, from February 27 to March 4, is expected to attract about 30,000 visitors.
Tall Ships, the James Craig, Enterprize and Young Endeavour will be in full sail to open the festival.
The James Craig, built in 1874, is one of four remaining working 19th century sailing ships in the world and the only one in the Southern Hemisphere.
Williamstown Chamber of Commerce vice president and festival event manager Craig Turton said there would be opportunities for people to sail on the ships throughout the week.
“When the James Craig comes, it’s almost twice to three times the size of these other ones,” he said.
“Something like 88 people sleep on it, so it gives you the idea of the scale of this thing. There’s a lot interest in that.”
He said the First Nations people would share their history as part of the festival.
Williamstown’s waterfront will be opened up with sailing lessons, a yacht race, and tours of Sea Shepherd’s decommissioned Steve Irwin vessel, historic docks and boat builders.
Seaworks maritime precinct and shopping precinct will have a seafood festival, market, boat show and family entertainment, with some of the area’s historic buildings opened to the public.
Hobsons Bay mayor Colleen Gates said the council was proud to support the festival.
“The drawcard of Seaworks and the spectacle of the tall ships make up a unique experience that will draw visitors from across Melbourne,” she said.
“Events like these add to the local economy in loads of ways, from suppliers, partnerships, investment and visitor attraction. I urge all residents to come down and support this wonderful festival in its first year.”
The tall ships are expected to arrive at Seaworks about 1pm on Thursday, followed by a welcome ceremony and live music from 3pm.
For more information, visit williamstownseaportfestival.com.au
