Photos and video: Festival of Sail Sandusky

SANDUSKY — The Festival of Sail Sandusky kicked off Thursday with a parade as tall ships sailed through the bay on their way to Jackson Street Pier.Crowds of people traveled to downtown Sandusky and watched five out of the six ships participating in the festival arrive at their port.The tall ships represent the marquee attraction of the festival, which also consists of concerts, food vendors, entertainment and a massive rubber duck."Between the duck and the tall ships, everybody is happy and smiling," said Ryan Whaley, the festival's event coordinator. "This event is created to bring joy to the community while showing the potential of our beautiful waterfront."[gallery]This event helps celebrate Sandusky's bicentennial, or 200-year anniversary."Sandusky's heritage and beauty are inspiring. We're hoping to add to it by putting a very unique, once-in-a-lifetime event," said Craig Samborski, the festival's executive producer.The crowds were impressed with Thursday's showing. "These vessels are just phenomenal," Johnson's Island resident Dianne Rozak said. "What a treasure to have these tall ships in Sandusky."Added Kent State student Lauren Blue: "The giant duck is what brought me here from Cleveland today. I love the pure joy the duck brings to me. I feel like the duck is just so fun and cheerful, that's why I took so many pictures by it."Schedule:Festival of Sail SanduskyToday-SundayOpen: 9 a.m.Close: 5 p.m.Note: Dockside tours, day sails and on-board tours available until 5 p.m. Dockside viewing, food beverage and entertainment available until 5 p.m.Concerts:Festival organizers scheduled free musical performances to entertain people after the daytime activities end.Friday: Music starts at 8:45 p.m. featuring Robert Randolph & The Family BandSaturday: Music starts at 8 p.m. featuring The WailersA tall ship sails through the Sandusky Bay Thursday.Reach the Register at news@sanduskyregister.com. Follow us on Twitter @SanduskyRegistr and at Facebook.com/sanduskyregisterPeople watch as the schooner Madeline sails through the Sandusky Bay on Thursday, July 12, 2018.The U.S. Brig Niagara sails in during the Parade of Sail on Thursday, July 12, 2018.The S/V Denis Sullivan sails along the coast of Sandusky during the Parade of Sails on Thursday, July 12, 2018.S/V Denis Sullivan crew members raise the sails during the Parade of Sails on Thursday, July 12, 2018. The U.S. Brig Niagara fires its carronade while participating in the Parade of Sails on Thursday, July 12, 2018, in the Sandusky Bay,Mama Duck, the world's largest rubber duck, greets guests at the Festival of Sail on Sandusky's Jackson Street Pier on Thursday, July 12, 2018. A Lyman flies Sandusky's bicentennial flag during Thursday's Parade of Sail in the bay. The S/V Sullivan sails past Shoreline Park in Sandusky on July 12, 2018, during the Parade of Sail.Onlookers gather on the Jackson Street Pier to watch the Parade of Sail on Thursday, July 12, 2018. A tall ship sails through the Sandusky Bay Thursday.