Grand Fleet of Tall Ships to Sail Through Sturgeon Bay on August 1

As an offshoot to its sponsorship of the July 27-31 Baylake Bank Tall Ship Festival in Green Bay, Baylake Bank has secured arrangements for the ships to come through the Sturgeon Bay ship canal on Tuesday, August 1^st between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. as they leave the area.

The 14 or so ships will include:

Royaliste, a 73-foot gunboat/bomb ketch that hosts 'pirate circuses'
Pride of Baltimore II, a Clipper privateer replica with a sparred length of 157' and rig height of 107'
The Nina, a historically accurate replica of Christopher Columbus' ship of the same name
Unicorn, a ship who's hull was crafted from the metals of captured German U-boats salvaged after World War II
Friends Good Will, a replica of the ship that was the subject of Commodore Oliver Perry's quote "We have met the enemy and they are ours," which he remarked during the War of 1812
Appledore IV, who's mission is fostering environmental stewardship of the Great Lakes' ecosystem
St. Paul, a Russian ship based out of Canada and crewed only by the Russian captain, his wife, and their cat
Wisconsin's flagship S/V Denis Sullivan, which was designed by Sturgeon Bay marine architect Timothy Graul

"We are very excited to help bring this unique opportunity to Sturgeon Bay and Door County. We are suggesting Sunset and Sawyer Parks as great public viewing spots, and hope that shorefront businesses and homeowners will embrace this occasion and host events or activities to create even more ways for people to see and enjoy these amazing ships," commented Michelle Meacham, Baylake Bank Marketing & PR Specialist.

The ships will have a US Coast Guard escort, and will come through the channel in groups of about five as they head into Lake Michigan. The Door County Advocate will have a special insert available the week of July 24 that will include pictures and descriptions of each ship, information about businesses or other organizations that offer special activities related to the sail-through, and marine safety zone details for boaters.

"This event could be as simple as a once-in-a-lifetime marine parade, or as exciting as a grand send-off to the ships' crews as they pass through Sturgeon Bay, depending on how the community participates," Meacham added. "The US Coast Guard, Sturgeon Bay Police, Bridge Tenders, Sturgeon Bay Park and Recreation Department, the Door County Advocate, and other community partners have been absolutely instrumental in helping ensure an enjoyable and safe afternoon for August 1st, and I cannot thank them enough. Projects like this are what make it so special here for both residents and visitors. I think this event is going to be a huge highlight of the summer and beyond."

In addition to serving as facilitator of the Sturgeon Bay sail-through, Baylake Bank is title sponsor of the Baylake Bank Tall Ship Festival in Green Bay July 27-31, 2006, and is holding an essay contest where entrants can win a day-sail from Green Bay to Sturgeon Bay on July 31. "Even though we now have 27 financial centers across 8 counties in Wisconsin, our roots remain in Sturgeon Bay. I'm pleased that we are able to help present this opportunity in the community where we first got our start over 100 years ago," said Meacham.

For more information about Baylake Bank or these events, visit www.baylake.com.