State of Illinois Provided $300,000 to Help Promote August 3rd-9th Ship Festival

CHICAGO – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich’s top economic development official welcomed vessels to Lake Michigan as part of Tall Ships Chicago 2006, the largest festival of its kind in the Midwest, which kicked off today with the Parade of Sail and will run until August 9th.  There are a total of 17 Tall Ships docked at their berths along the south shore of the Chicago River, from Lake Shore Drive to the Michigan Avenue Bridge, at DuSable Harbor and at Navy Pier.  Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Director Jack Lavin joined Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and other event partners at the opening ceremony held just east of Navy Pier’s Grand Ballroom.  Through DCEO, Gov. Blagojevich provided $300,000 in Opportunity Returns funding to market the event and assist with additional hosting costs.

“The Tall Ships festival represents a terrific way to celebrate Chicago’s waterways, providing spectacular images and exhibits from Chicago’s past and present.  We are encouraging people of all ages from Illinois and beyond to take part in this one-of-a-kind event, which is yet another way to take in more of all Chicago has to offer,” Gov. Blagojevich said.

Tall Ships Chicago 2006 will highlight Chicago’s rich maritime history and emphasize the role of the river and lake in the city’s birth and development.  Ships will be available for boarding beginning Friday, August 4th through Wednesday, August 9th, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.  Boarding passes (wristbands) are available each day of the festival and can be purchased for $12 at six locations on festival grounds, which include the Chicago River, just east of Michigan Avenue and just east of Columbus Drive, DuSable Harbor and at three different locations at Navy Pier.  (Children under 3 are admitted to boats for free.) 

Tall Ships Chicago 2006 is part of the American Sail Training Association’s (ASTA) Tall Ships Challenge 2006, an annual series of sail training races, rallies, cruises and port festivals organized by ASTA in conjunction with host ports in the U.S. and Canada.  During the 2006 Great Lakes Series, wind-powered ships made their way along the St. Lawrence Seaway and stopped at different ports along their way to Chicago’s festival stop.  Other festival stops included Cleveland, Ohio, Bay City, Michigan and Green Bay, Wisconsin.
In 2003, nearly 2 million people participated in Tall Ships Chicago

“Among all of Chicago’s countless attractions, Lake Michigan holds a special place for everyone to enjoy and admire.  The Tall Ships festival brings together the very best of what makes the Chicago shoreline so special, and I urge all to take in these impressive ships and a piece of our city’s tremendous history,” DCEO Director Jack Lavin said. 

Tall Ships Chicago 2006 is presented by The City of Chicago, Mayor’s Office of Special Events, Navy Pier and the Chicago Park District and sponsored in part by DCEO’s Bureau of Tourism, CBS 2 Chicago, Chicago Sun-Times, American Airlines, AT&T Yellow Pages published by RH Donnelly, the Canadian Consulate, Chicago Transit Authority, Essex Hotel, GM Flexible Earnings Credit Card, Hinckley Springs, Mirassou Wines, Sheraton Chicago, Swissotel, Telemundo Chicago, W Lakeshore Hotel, Wendella Boats and the WNBA.  Visit www.tallshipschicago.net or call (312) 744-3315, TTY (312) 744-2694.

Gov. Blagojevich’s Opportunity Returns regional economic development strategy is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Illinois’ history.  Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn’t work, the Governor has divided the state into 10 regions – each with a regional team that is empowered and expected to rapidly respond to opportunities and challenges.  Opportunity Returns is about tangible, specific actions to make each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial and more attractive to businesses.  It is about upgrading the skills of the local workforce, increasing the access to capital, opening new markets, improving infrastructure, and creating and retaining jobs.   It’s about successfully partnering with companies and communities, large and small, to help Illinois reach its economic potential.