What to know about the upcoming Gloucester Schooner Festival

The 42nd annual Gloucester Schooner Festival returns Sept. 3–7, building on a tradition that began in 1985 as a rendezvous for schooners to race and honor the International Fishermen’s Cup races of the 1920s and 1930s. Over four days, up to 20 schooners will be in port for deck tours and charter sails, plus a Heritage Day event Saturday, a Sunday parade along the Gloucester waterfront, and an offshore Mayor’s Cup race. Hosted by the Maritime Heritage Center, participating tall ships include the 98-foot Denis Sullivan, the 92-foot American Eagle and 95-foot Harvey Gamage, and the 122-foot Schooner Adventure, among others.