WRAL Parade of Sail

UNC-TV brings you a prime perch to spy this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, as it's happening, when at least 14 tall ships enter Beaufort Inlet during UNC-TV's coverage of the recent WRAL Parade of Sail. Sights of square-rigged sails unfurled and sounds of cannons blasting fill the salty sea air in one of the biggest events in Carteret County's history. These majestic marvels of medieval engineering, from ports of call all over the world, will make their way past thousands of spectators lining the sandy shores of Atlantic Beach, Fort Macon State Park, Beaufort and Morehead City.

Proceeds from Pepsi Americas' Sail will benefit revitalization efforts for the Olde Beaufort Seaport, an expansion project of the NC Maritime Museum.

Pepsi Americas' Sail is part of an international tall ships celebration with the Fortaleza Sail Festival in Brazil. Tall ships race from Brazil to the Dominican Republic, and the festivities culminate in Beaufort and Morehead City. Highlights include the Parade of Sail on July 1 and a "Class B" race.

Led by the 249-foot-long, triple-masted Cisne Branco (White Swan) from Brazil, the tall ships fleet numbers at least 14, including the Meka II. Americas' Sail dates to 1986, launched as an event to organize regular races and events for tall ships. Sinbad has competed in the 1998 and 2002 events.

Friends of the North Carolina Maritime Museum are the official hosts, working with the New York-based Americas' Sail organization.

DONATE NOW to support exceptional programs like Parade of Sail.