Alexandria Needs 300 Volunteers for Tall Ship Festival

Alexandria is bringing history to life on the Potomac River next month, and they need your help to make it happen.

The city is seeking 300 volunteers to assist with Sails on the Potomac, a three-day waterfront festival running June 12-14. The event celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and features free tours of four stunning tall ships: the Swedish Navy warship replica Kalmar Nyckel, Royal Navy schooner replica Sultana, historic fishing vessel Gazela, and Alexandria's own Continental Navy ship replica Providence.

Volunteers will help check guests on and off the ships, staff information booths, and assist with activities throughout the festival. The city needs 100 people each day to keep the event running smoothly.

The gig comes with perks that sweeten the deal. Every volunteer receives a free fast pass to tour one tall ship on their choice of days. While the city warns the work happens outdoors, they're providing cooling buses to beat the June heat.

The Ripple Effect

This volunteer opportunity shows how community members can directly connect people with their shared history. By giving just a few hours, volunteers help thousands of families experience these magnificent vessels up close without paying admission.

The festival offers more than ship tours. Visitors can enjoy waterfront fireworks Saturday night, the 48th annual ALX Jazz Fest, a history village showcasing 250 years of American heritage, food and drink vendors, and arts activities.

Volunteers must be 18 or older and attend evening Zoom training sessions before the festival. The Office of Historic Alexandria is managing recruitment through Volunteer Alexandria, where interested community members can sign up for shifts.

Anyone planning to attend can reserve free 30-minute timed tickets to tour the tall ships, even if they're not volunteering. The festival gives everyone a chance to step aboard these historic vessels and imagine life on the water centuries ago.

Three hundred volunteers, four tall ships, and countless memories waiting to be made on the Potomac waterfront.