A woman tug captain has teamed with a juggling showboat captain to bring two historic vessels to Brooklyn Bridge Park. From Friday July 15 through Sunday, July 24, "Tug & Barge in the Park" will feature free dockside tugboat & covered barge tours, workshops and low-cost showboat performances. From knot tying demonstrations to the legendary circus-variety series aboard the barge, maritime programs and the return of showboat style performances of days gone by celebrate our "water highway" and its use for both commerce and popular entertainment.
Tug & Barge Activities:
Fri, July 15: Group tours (9am-1pm) and open hours (3-5pm), Camp and senior tours available most days by contacting
David Or by calling 718 624 4719 ext. 11.
Sat, July 16: Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance's City Of Water Day open hours (11am-5pm), River Songs by Jeff Newell's New-Trad Quartet aboard Barge at 1, 2:30 & 4pm
Sun, July 17: Open hours (11am-5pm) Marine workshops (11am-3pm), dockside free Jalopy Sea Shantey entertainment (1pm-5pm) followed by a Sea Shanty Concert at 7pm. Tickets $10
Mon, July 18: Sea Chantey Sing-along. Refreshments. 7 pm, tickets $20
Mon-Fri, July 18- 22: Daily Group tours (9am-1pm) and open hours (3-5pm - except Monday July 18)
Wed, July 20: Tug & Barge Community Fundraiser lively entertainment and refreshments, 6:30-8:30pm
Thurs, July 21: Group tours (9am-1pm) and open hours (3-5pm) "Showboats in New York Harbor" film and lecture with Norman Brouwer and Captain Tom McGuire, 7pm
Fri, July 22: Special Open Hours: "A View from the Underside" with scuba diver Lenny, (3-5pm) , "Creatures of the Deep" art exhibition curated by Karen E. Gersch. "Creatures of the Deep" Artists' reception with Diver Lenny 7-9pm
Sat, July 23: Open hours (11am-3pm) and Juggling For Fun workshop with Captain David Sharps, 3-4:30pm, tickets $10
Sat, July 23: Sunset Music Concert at 8 pm featuring Stephen Oates, Christiana, and Ellsworth & Hicks, tickets $10
Sun, July 24: Showboat Shazzam, the popular circus-variety show features juggling feats, aerial work, comedy and hoops at 1pm and 4pm, tickets $10
Mon, July 25: Group tours (9am-1pm)
For more information contact
David Or call 718 624 4719 ext. 11.
To support these creative programs, fundraiser destination cruises to and from the Brooklyn Bridge Park will help support the operations of two authentic work vessels and underwrite the costs of bringing the public aboard. Passengers aboard the tug and barge will view the short harbor work trip from a front seat as they transport the two historic vessels in a voyage to the next port-of-call. Capacity is limited to 12 per vessel-get your tickets now!
A community fundraiser on Wednesday, July 20 aboard the Tug & Barge will honor Brooklyn-born writer and journalist Peter Stanford with the 2011 "Tug & Barge" Award. Peter is the founder of the South Street Seaport and the National Maritime Historical Society. He joins 2010 recipients Regina Myer and Nancy Webster as leaders who champion the rebuilding of our waterfront for maritime activities. Entertainment will be provided by the Tiki Brothers and Christiana. See tickets or call David at (718) 624 4719 ext 11. Honoree Peter Stanford remarks that "New Yorkers have come to learn the mysteries, lore and learning of New York Harbor in an authentic and utterly engaging new perspective through a centenarian tugboat and barge which team together to bring fresh life, lore and learning to city waterfronts. Veteran tug Pegasus Captain Pamela Hepburn and international performer David Sharps of the Waterfront Museum bring this uniquely authentic presentation of harbor life to enthralled audiences of old and young, and their work should have the support of everyone who cares about old stories and young dreams as part of the experience of our city."
Starting in 2009 with the Quadricentennial Celebration Voyage, Captains Pamela Hepburn and David Sharps offer unique exploration and discovery programs that enhance our region's understanding of the significance of our water highways. In June this year, the "Tug & Barge" docked in Riverdale, Bronx to help raise funds for that community's riverfront trail. The "Tug & Barge" heads to Manhattan July 26 for the North River Historic Ship Festival at Hudson River Park Pier 25. The Festival from July 28-31 celebrates the opening of Pier 25 (in Tribeca at N. Moore St.) as the first historic ship pier in Hudson River Park. Three historic vessels, the Tugboat Pegasus, the steamer Lilac , and the tall ship Clipper City have been awarded berths at the pier.
Over the years, the Tug & Barge have visited various waterfront communities and festivals, including: Hoboken and Liberty State Park in NJ, South Street Seaport, Hudson River Park Pier 84, Piermont, Cold Spring, Poughkeepsie, Hudson, Kingston, and Waterford, NY.
The Waterfront Museum, housed aboard the 1914 Lehigh Valley No.79, and the 1907 tug Pegasus are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors are encouraged to walk, bike or use mass transit to visit the new dock located at Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6 at the foot of Atlantic Avenue behind the new playground. Directions.
For more information call David at (718) 624-4719 Ext. 11 or email dsharps@waterfrontmuseum.org.
"Tug & Barge Week" is produced in cooperation with Brooklyn Bridge Park and Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy.
