What is Maritime Festival
Maritime Festival is one of Ocean Institutes Annual fundraisers. All proceeds from the entire weekend support Ocean Institute Education Programs. This festival celebrates California’s rich maritime history and our connection to the ocean! This is a fun-filled weekend event with visiting Tall Ships, Cannon Battles, Pirate and Mermaid Ball, Beer Garden, Mermaids Swim Shows, Pirate School, Live music, Reenactors and Sailor Camp, Vendors, Food Trucks and more!
About Ocean Institute: The Ocean Institute is nationally known for its award winning, hands-on marine science, environmental education and maritime history programs. Students, families and the general public become tall ship sailors, research scientists, oceanographers, and explorers while immersed in Ocean Institute programs.
The first annual Maritime Festival (previously Tall Ships Festival) was in 1984.
The Ocean Institute was established in 1977 as the Orange County Marine Institute. Today it is a community-based, federally recognized 501(c)(3) organization nationally renowned for its ocean science and maritime history educational programs.
Under the leadership of its founder, Stan Cummings, the Ocean Institute was originally established under a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) that included the County of Orange, the Orange County Department of Education, Saddleback Community College District, Rancho Santiago Community College District, North Orange County Community College District, and Coast Community College District. In 1992 the agreement was redrafted to include the City of Dana Point.
In September 1996 OI’s Board of Directors transferred the assets and operating authority to a 501(c)(3) called the Friends of the Marine Institute in Orange County. In November 1999, the Board changed the name to Ocean Institute.