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For Immediate Release
May 30, 2003
PortFest 2003
OAKLAND, Calif, (May 30, 2003) - While several dozen vessels short of an armada, the collection of seafaring ships participating in PortFest 2003 could make an impressive flotilla. The U.S.S. Potomac, the Gaslight and the White Holly are but a choice few of the yachts, tall ship, training vessel and tug welcoming visitors June 7 at PortFest 2003 presented by the Port of Oakland and Albertsons. “This is the first time, we’ve ever planned to have so many ships at the event,” said Midori Tabata, the PortFest 2003 co-coordinator. “It’s going to be a blast.”
The free entertainment event begins at 11 a.m. at Jack London Square and Howard Terminal. More than 25,000 Bay area residents are expected to flock to the Oakland waterfront to see the Gaslight tall ship, the 165-foot U.S.S. Potomac, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s former presidential yacht; and the White Holly, a Coast Guard buoy tender used by the California Maritime Academy’s merchant marine vocational program.
In addition to the impressive boats, there will also be free harbor tours, an operating seaport crane and container displays. PortFest is a continuation of the Port’s oldest waterfront tradition, Port Day, originally held along with National Maritime Day, beginning in 1935.
The Port of Oakland is the fourth-largest container port in the United States with a 98 percent share of the Northern California container freight market. More than 30 shipping lines call Oakland, linking the Bay area to all the world’s major producing, consuming and trading economies.
“The World Comes to Oakland” is the theme of this year’s event that aims to educate visitors about the Port’s maritime, aviation and commercial real estate divisions and also entertain them.
The soulful Oleta Adams headlines the entertainment that will fill three stages and also includes performances by local jazz-blues artist Faye Carol, pop-rocker Natasha Miller, stirring sounds of Lenny Williams and the Grammy-nominated Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir.
PortFest will also feature an acrobatic air show, antique airplane displays and muscle car exhibits, a balloons-and-clowns-kids zone, whale boat races and plenty of food.
PortFest 2003 will benefit: Safe Passages for Youth, the Museum of Children’s Art (MOCHA), Native American Health Center, West Oakland Community Collaborative, and Unity Council – Family Literacy Program. Each organization will receive a $5,000 donation.
For more information, including questions about location, parking, public transportation and the free bicycle valet, call the PortFest Hotline, 510.627.1111.
Contact:
Marilyn Sandifur
Media and Public Relations Manager
(510) 627-1193
msandifur@portoakland.com |
