Volunteer deckhand Philip Warren of Milwaukee shows off the rigging of the Lady Washington during the tall ships’ visit last year. Del Norte Triplicate / Bryant Anderson

During the visit, visitors can take a walk-on tour of the impressive ships, hit the sea for an evening sail, or even participate in a Battle Sail, an imitation of a 18th century naval skirmish using real cannons and gunpowder.

To welcome the beloved boats, the port is holding a two-day Crescent City Harbor Tall Ships Festival, featuring live music all weekend and local food, art and crafts vendors.

The Tall Ships festival will be Saturday, April 20, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, April 21, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the lot adjacent to where the Tall Ships will be docked on the Citizens Dock Road side of the inner boat basin.

Performers include Three for the Road; BorderCoast; Jefferson State Boondock Band; Hither, Thither and Yon; and Warren Barr.

Walk-on tours are a chance to visit the vessels at the dock and meet the crews wearing period costumes. Reservations are not required, and admission is by donation.

Battle Sails will feature a mock cannon battle with real explosions and 18th-century naval maneuvers. Only one ship will be declared victor. Cost is $60 for adults, $50 for students, seniors and active military, and $40 for children 12 and under.

Evening sails and Adventure Sails offer folks a chance to raise a sail, sing a sea shanty, and take the helm of a real tall ship. Tickets are $39 for all ages, except on April 29, they cost $29.

Tickets for all excursions are available online at www.historicalseaport.org or by calling 800-200-5239.

Britt Festivals has announced its summer lineup of outdoor concerts.

The lineup includes pop singer Cyndi Lauper, country singer Billy Currington, reggae artists Rebelution and Matisyahu, the  Steve Miller Band, indie artists Tegan and Sara, comedian Dennis Miller, “American Idol” winner Scotty McCreery, contemporary Christian artists Amy Grant and Brandon Heath, gospel/R&B performer Mavis Staples, singer/songwriter John Hiatt and guitarist Rodrigo y Gabriela.

Britt Festivals is a member-supported non-profit organization and the Pacific Northwest’s oldest outdoor music and performing arts festival. Set amid ponderosa pines and native madrones, the vast hillside estate of Gold Rush-era pioneer Peter Britt forms a natural amphitheater where artists perform every summer. 

“We are once again excited about the ‘sound of summer,’ on the Britt hill —a place where you can bring your picnic, meet up with your family and friends, and have a memorable time,” says Britt Executive Director Donna Briggs. “We’ve got stars on the stage and stars in the sky.  I can’t think of a better way to start the summer than a night out with Cyndi Lauper.”

More highlights of the 2013 season include ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro, swing favorites Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, country queen Martina McBride, folk singer John Prine, Britt favorite Michael Franti, rockabilly artist Chris Isaak and Oregon’s own Pink Martini with singer Storm Large. A full season lineup is available at www.brittfest.org.

The season kicks off with the annual “Taste of Summer” celebration in Jacksonville, on Saturday, June 8. The city-wide celebration will be in downtown Jacksonville and feature a variety of activities including live music, food, street performers, the artists of Art Presence, a wine walk, a beer garden, children’s activities, classic car displays and hot air balloon rides.

Britt’s summer season will include a “Best of Britt” benefit Thursday, July 18. The evening will include music, food by local restaurants, wine from 25 wineries of the Southern Oregon Wine Association, beer from Western Beverage, and a returning headline performance by boogie woogie jazz pianist Michael Kaeshammer. Proceeds from the evening will benefit Britt’s education programs.

Addy Tiffany examines a wild orchid during a previous Wildflower show. Del Norte Triplicate file / Bryant Anderson

The result is the Ruby Van Deventer Wildflower Show, which will be held for the sixth time May 10–11 at the Del Norte County Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Admission is free.

“There’s people here that really like wildflowers,” said Bennett. “We do it for the educational experience, mostly.”

This year’s early spring conditions mean more wildflowers than ever will be on display, including trilliums, irises and lilies. The lupine is this year’s theme flower, and a series of wildflower walks will again be held in conjunction with the show.

The popular carnivorous plant master, Harold Tryon, will again be on hand. Tryon “really wows the kids” with his meat-eating plants, Bennett said.

There will also be Native American experts in medicinal, edible and utilitarian plants. All the usual attractions will be at the show, including Carol Schach’s outstanding photos.

The show’s opening day traditionally attracts busloads of third-graders from nine schools, and this year will be no exception. Each student gets a coloring book and a packet of seeds, and the kids also get to visit the railroad car and old schoolhouse at the fairgrounds.

Annual contest is Sat. at Crescent Elk 

A total of $3,600 in scholarships will be up for grabs when 13 high school juniors vie for the title of Distinguished Young Women of Del Norte County for 2014 on Saturday night.

The Del Norte High juniors will compete in five areas, including scholastics (20 percent), interview (25 percent), talent (25 percent), self-expression (15 percent) and fitness (15 percent).

The scholarship money is donated by local businesses and service organizations, and the event is sponsored by the Crescent City Jaycees and run by numerous volunteers.

Previously known as the Junior Miss Scholarship Program, the event begins at 7 p.m. at Crescent Elk Auditorium.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at Del Norte Office Supply or at the door, with the prices set at $10 for adults and $5 for students, children and seniors. Children 5 and younger get in free.

Contestants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. The program started here in 1968 and has awarded thousands of dollars over the past 43 years.

The local winner goes on to compete at a state program in Bakersfield.

For additional information, call Barbara Lopez, 218-7432.

Prior to the performance, the scholastic is judged based on the girl’s transcripts and the interview will be held earlier Saturday.

Competition in the remaining three categories, fitness, talent and self-expression, will unfold on the stage. The judges will take a break to deliberate on the winners, add the scores and then the scholarship winners are announced.

Veerkamp

She is the daughter of Cindy and John Veerkamp of Crescent City, and a 2012 graduate of Del Norte High School.