The Russians are Coming! Bodega Bay and Russian River wooden boat events in April.
None of these events are hosted or organized by anyone that I know well, but I thought I'd put the word out for anyone interested. And I can come up with some roughly-19th C sailor costume elements for anyone who cares to give it a try.
I'm not sure about my schedule at this time, but hope to attend the Russian River row on 4/21, and either the 4/7 or 4/27 events in Bodega Bay...er Port Rumianstev. Some of the TSCA folks are interested, so we may get a nice bunch of boats on the water and on display.
If John Middleton is the guy I'm thinking of, he sails this Russian-built boat out of the Santa Cruz area and is a big booster of Russian heritage -
From a multi-forwarded email:
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RUSSIAN LONGBOAT EVENTS IN APRIL !
ALL ROWERS INVITED !
Beginning April 3rd with the arrival of the
LADY WASHINGTON (disguised as the Russian-American Company ship CHIRIKOV) and HAWAIIAN CHIEFTAIN http://www.historicalseaport.org/ in Bodega Bay, a series of events and programs that will involve Boat Base Monterey's Russian longboats will take place throughout the month of April.
Between April 3rd-April 9th Bodega Bay celebrates it's history as Port Rumiantsev and the founding of Fort Ross http://www.bodegabay1812.org/
Plans are for BBM's boats to escort the LADY WASHINGTON into Bodega Bay early on April 3rd amidst cannon salutes to the original site of Port Rumianstev (Campbell Cove)
On April 7th-8th the boats will be on display at the dock of the Tides Restaurant in company with other historic and traditional small craft representing boats from Bodega Bay's 200 year history,
with daily excursions planned throughout the day.
Also on April 7th, two lectures on the Russian presence in Bodega Bay will be held at the Tides Restaurant between 1 and 3pm, with an exhibit of early Russian charts and artifacts from the SCIENCE UNDER SAIL exhibit from 2001.
On the evening of April 7th there will be a performance of Russian dancing held at the Grange in Bodega Bay.
On April 21st, (Earth Day) ECO ODYSSEY 200 http://www.ecoodyssey.info/EO200.html will host events on the Russian River commemorating Russia's 200th anniversary there. BBM's longboats will take part in a row/sail up the Russian River to Duncan's Mills (and back) with other traditional small craft from Fort Bragg, and may be available as "committee boat" to start kayak races on the river, and take the public on short tours.
April 27th and 28th is the week-end for the "Fish Fest" http://www.bbfishfest.org/ in Bodega Bay, this year commemorating the 200th anniversary of Port Rumiantsev as its theme. BBM's have been invited to take part in the traditional small craft display and the boat parade on the 28th.
Of course, boats are just static objects without their crews ! In order to fully participate in the above events, we need you!
If any of the above events would be fun and interesting to you, I hope you will participate. Bodega Bay is fairly remote and several of these events take place over several days, so a hotel or camping arrangement would have to be made. Tom has been looking into local hotel arrangements and the local County Park at Doran Beach and the better State Park at Bodega Dunes offer excellent camping facilities. Perhaps even a group camp site could be arranged.
Please let either Tom (Thiel) or me know if any of you would be available to participate in the one or more of the above events. The week of April 3rd through 8th promises to be especially interesting to those interested in local maritime history, and interaction with the two tall ships with their various programs, either dock-side or in the bay with cannon-duels, will be especially rewarding. Lectures and exhibits, and other traditional small craft make this a local maritime festival as well.
John Middleton
johnmiddleton2@earthlink.net
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Originally Posted by James McMullen
