by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
The best estimate is it’s been here for about 10,000 years, so it can be easy to take it for granted. If it weren’t here, however, everything that is here today might not be.
It’s the St. Johns River, the focus of “Sail Jacksonville,” a weekend-long celebration of all things concerning the longest river in Florida and one of the few in the world that flow north.
Long before Ponce de Leon dropped anchor off the coast of North Florida in 1513, native Americans in the area called it “Wacca Pilatka” meaning “the place of the cows crossing.”
For 250 years, the Spanish controlled the region until the British arrived and took over in 1763. The English forces eventually built a road for their trading routes from St. Mary’s, Ga. to St. Augustine that crossed the river at Wacca Pilatka, which they had renamed “Cow Ford.”
Since those days, the St. Johns River has played a key role in the economic development of the city that has been growing ever since along its banks.
This weekend, Mayor John Peyton and the City of Jacksonville present “Sail Jacksonville - Celebrate the St. Johns,” a three day event that salutes the maritime history of the river.
Six authentic tall ships will be docked along the Northbank Riverwalk and will be open for tours. This year’s flotilla includes the schooners, Alliance, Freedom, Mistress, Pride of Baltimore II, Virginia and Voyager.
A series of lectures explaining famous shipwrecks and treasure troves will be offered at a riverfront pavilion near the Hyatt and guided river tours onboard the Lady St. Johns and Annabelle Lee paddleboats will be available free of charge, sponsored by the Jacksonville Port Authority.
The Landing will be the entertainment zone for the event, with live music on the Main Sail Stage in the courtyard and a dozen different bands on the bill.
The Brothers of the Coasts, a band of real pirates will roam through the festival all weekend. They will stage the “St. John River Pirate Battle for Treasure” sponsored by Atlantic Marine Sunday afternoon near the Main Street Bridge. The naval battle reenactment will feature all the visiting tall ships and plenty of cannon fire.
“The river is essential to this community for so many reasons,” said Jimmy Orth, executive director of St. Johns Riverkeeper, a privately-funded advocate group.
Orth said he thinks Sail Jacksonville will make people more aware of the value of the St. Johns River and it’s impact not only on the past, but the future as well.
“We’ve noticed a lot of momentum toward reconnecting with our river. It began with Mayor Peyton’s River Accord and this year, the Florida legislature voted to provide $13 million for the St. Johns. It’s great to see the river gaining attention locally and on a state level.
“It’s a tremendous resource for our quality of life, fish and wildlife, our economy and for tourism. It’s great to see more people realizing we need to protect it. In fact, we can’t afford not to take care of it.”
Tall ships haven’t tied up in Jacksonville since 2004, but it’s not because the City doesn’t recognize the value of the event, said Theresa O’Donnell-Price, director of special events.
“They are all on different schedules and tours, so it took us three years to be able to coordinate this many tall ships,” she said.
She also said Jacksonville is home to so many iconic events that are centered on football and other sports, hosting an event like Sail Jacksonville offers some unique opportunities for the City and its citizens.
“We try to do as many riverfront events as we can. This one is different than the others, so it brings a different crowd Downtown. People who live here who are not fortunate enough to be around the river every day can come see what it’s about and even take a free tour this weekend.”
O’Donnell-Price said that while the event is family-oriented and admission is free, it is also stimulating attracting some spending from visitors. “We have gotten calls from as far away as Palm Coast and Orlando, so we know an event like this can have a positive impact on our tourism industry.
“It’s one of those events that can – and will – grow.”
Sail Jacksonville Schedule
Friday
• Festival hours: 3-7 p.m.
• Dockside ship tours from 3-6 p.m.
• Live entertainment at the Landing from 3-8 p.m.
• Swashbuckler Cinema, “The Goonies” at 9 p.m.
• Live band after the movie
Saturday
• Festival hours: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
• Dockside ship tours from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
• Live entertainment at the Landing from 10 a.m. - midnight
• Sikaflex Ultimate Boat Building Challenge from 10 a.m - 6 p.m. (at the Pearl Street gazebo)
• “Famous Shipwrecks and Treasures” lectures at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. (at the Mini Sail Stage near the Hyatt Regency)
• Jacksonville Maritime Museum tours from noon - 6 p.m.
• Free guided river tours aboard the Lady St. John and the Annabelle Lee from noon - 8 p.m.
• Rock the Boat fireworks show at 9:45 p.m.
Sunday
• Festival hours: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Dockside ship tours from noon - 6 p.m.
• Live entertainment at the Landing from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• “Famous Shipwrecks and Treasures” lectures at 11 a.m., 12:45 p.m. and 2 p.m. (at the Mini Sail Stage near the Hyatt Regency)
• Sikaflex Challenge Ultimate Boat Building Race at 2 p.m.
• Free guided river tours aboard the Lady St. John and the Annabelle Lee from 11:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
• St. Johns River Pirate Battle for Treasure at 3 p.m.