Sponsors

Planning is underway to once again celebrate our region’s distinctive history, breathtaking landscapes and hidden gems during the 11th annual Trails & Sails: Two Weekends of Walks and Water, September 21-23 & September 28-30, 2012! Mark your calendars to join us for FREE guided tours, open house visits, hikes, walks, sails, paddles, and special experiences for all ages, skill levels and interests.

Keep in touch and stay involved . . .

For Event Hosts: Get creative! Get involved! Start planning now - event submission begins on-line in March! We seek all kinds of experiences and invite any heritage organization or business to consider offering a unique, free event that provides residents and visitors the chance to connect and experience your special place. It's a great way to build public awareness and audience for your cause, mission and organization. If you have ideas for a possible Trails & Sails site, tour, lecture or workshop, email Emily to put your site, organization or business on the Trails & Sails map! Prior-year hosts will be contacted via email in the New Year.

For Participants: Can’t wait until September? You can make Trails & Sails last all year long by becoming a mission-based champion of Essex Heritage! As a member of the Essex National Heritage Commission there are many opportunities to connect to resources in this region beyond Trails & Sails weekends, making the fun and discovery last all year long! If you appreciate the unique historical, natural and cultural events offered during Trails & Sails, you will enjoy being an Essex Heritage Member! Join Today!

Sign-up for our monthly electronic newsletter or log-in to receive communication on the ever-growing TRAILS & SAILS event calendar of activities. The 2012 online catalog of events link will debut August 1, 2012 and printed guides will be available in September.

TRAILS & SAILS 2011

THANK YOU to all event hosts, participants, volunteers and sponsors for making the 10th anniversary of TRAILS & SAILS: Two Weekend of Walks & Water such a success!

The 2011 event line-up offered hundreds of opportunities to connect people to the special places and organizations that comprise the Essex National Heritage Area. We thank the 100+ site hosts for opening their doors and scheduling 200+ TRAILS & SAILS experiences to thrill and delight residents and visitors. We could not present this event without your enthusiasm! Visit Essex Heritage's Facebook page to see and post photos from the weekend festivities!

TRAILS & SAILS 2011: “People’s Choice Awards”
Every year, Essex Heritage presents a "People’s Choice Award" to TRAILS & SAILS events based on participant feedback. Of the 190+ TRAILS & SAILS events offered during the 10th annual TRAILS & SAILS, participants voted for the following top ten events of 2011:
1. Historic Ice House Tours, hosted by Cape Pond Ice Company
2. Choate Island: A Walking Tour, hosted by The Trustees of Reservations
3. Deepsea Science: Wreck of the Portland, hosted by Maritime Gloucester and Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary
4. Guided Tour of Special Exhibit: "Painting the American Vision”, hosted by the Peabody Essex Museum
5. Harmony in the Hall, hosted by the Essex Harmony and Danvers Historical Society
6. Hospital Point Lighthouse Tours, hosted by U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
7. Kayak Tour at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
8. Yankee Whale Watch, hosted by Yankee Fleet
9. Bread & Roses Strike Walk, hosted by Lawrence Heritage State Park
10. A Hermit's Tales on the Trails, hosted by The Trustees of Reservations

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