More businesses come forward to support Connecticut’s
historic maritime celebration coming to New London July 6-9
New London, CT – May 9, 2012 – OpSail2012 Connecticut is pleased to announce that General Dynamics Electric Boat of Groton, WTNH-TV (News 8) of New Haven, and Milone & MacBroom of Cheshire have stepped forward to support the arrival of the domestic and international tall ships coming to New London this summer for OpSail2012 Connecticut.
“I’m happy to see the level of support and commitment from businesses throughout Connecticut,” said John S. Johnson, Chairman of OpSail2012 Connecticut. “We’re moving forward with a phenomenal celebration this summer thanks to the support of our business community and local neighbors.”
Other sponsors of OpSail2012CT include Mohegan Sun of Uncasville, Lawrence & Memorial Hospital of New London, Hall Communications of Norwich, The Day Publishing Company of New London, Levine Distributing Company of Norwich, Ocean Marketing of Guilford, The Coca Cola Company of Waterford, and Dominion Energy of Waterford. Additional business sponsorships will be announced in the near future.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is the honorary chairman for OpSail2012 Connecticut and has pledged $1 in state
funds for every $2 raised by OpSail2012CT. (Information on how to donate can be found at http://www.OpSail2012CTorg.
Led by the U.S. Coast Guard Barque EAGLE, OpSail2012
Connecticut will take place in New London Harbor July 6-9, 2012 and feature a parade of domestic and international tall ships including Brazil’s Cisne Branco, Schooner Wolf from Key West, Florida; Schooner Meerwald from Jersey City, New Jersey; Appledore V from Bay City, Michigan; Spirit from Essex, Connecticut; and Brilliant and Argia from Mystic, Connecticut. Additional ships will be announced the near future.
The series of OpSail port visits has been organized nationally by the United States Navy to commemorate
the bicentenary of the War of 1812, a war that gave America its national anthem. The war also included a number of naval engagements along the Connecticut shoreline, including battles in Stonington and Essex. At Essex, the British burned more than two dozen American ships, the largest single loss of American ships in a single naval engagement up until Pearl Harbor.
OpSail2012 Connecticut will take place alongside New London’s SailFest, an annual tradition for three
decades, and in cooperation with the town of East Lyme. The tall ships are scheduled to arrive in the town’s village of Niantic on July 6 to prepare for the next day’s Parade of Sail into New London Harbor. There will be weekend
entertainment and a food festival in downtown New London, along with historical and cultural activities at Fort Trumbull, located in New London and overlooking the mouth of the Thames River.
Nationally, the U.S. Navy has joined the OpSail group to stage events in seven ports, starting earlier this month in New Orleans and ending in July in New London.
Additional information about OpSail2012 Connecticut is available at www.OpSail2012CT.org.
About OpSail2012CT
OpSail2012CT pays homage to Connecticut’s rich maritime history and significant milestones in American
history. Held in New London Harbor July 6-9, 2012, the event honors the Bicentennial Anniversary of the War of 1812 and the writing of The Star-Spangled Banner and
features food festivals, live music, family activities, sail boat races and a spectacular fireworks display from New London Harbor. OpSail2012CT begins with a welcome ceremony in Niantic on Friday, July 6, where the international tall ships will arrive and anchor, followed by the Parade of Sail from Niantic to New London Harbor on Saturday, July 7. The public will be allowed to visit the majestic vessels at State Pier, City Pier and Fort Trumbull in New London and Groton. OpSail2012CT also includes Sailfest, southeastern Connecticut's premiere summertime event featuring a major fireworks display, amusement rides, free entertainment, and over 100 vendors lining the streets of downtown New London. More information is available at www.OpSail2012CT.org.
