SailGHS of Gloucester, in conjunction with Gloucester 400+ Fishermens’ Heritage Month presents The Fishtown Showdown 400, a celebration of youth sailing and Gloucester’s centuries long marriage to it fisheries.

To celebrate the city’s 400th anniversary, The Showdown will pit Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester and Annisquam sailors in a fleet race tournament in Gloucester’s outer harbor, situated near enough to the Greasy Pole to allow viewing from Stacey Boulevard. Each of the 4 towns will have three 420 sailboats of 2 racers each – 12 boats in all, 24 kids – in a 6 race windward-leeward race course format to claim the Showdown Crown.

Racers will convene at Maritime Gloucester at 23 Harbor Loop, on August 5 at 9 am to gear-up as necessary, attend a short skippers’ meeting and process out to the racecourse for an 11 am first gun and a 6 race, 3 hour program. SailGHS will provide all boats, racing sails, a snack, water and an after racing cookout at 3 pm at Maritime Gloucester. Parents are invited to join the cookout and watch the racing. There are no fees or charges – it’s entirely free.

Sailing has always had a huge formative relationship with our fishermen and is still exemplified in our existing schooner fleet and our popular annual Schooner Festival. Sailing is stitched throughout the Maritime museum and the history it represents. Gloucester Maritime is committed to keeping this tradition alive with the youth of todays area high and middle schools. A regatta to celebrate all four towns’ student racers is a perfect reflexion of our city’s celebration of its 400th anniversary.

For more information, contact Gordon Baird, 978-283-0390, Hilary Frye 978-290-2467 or Michael Dekoster at 978-281-0470