Every citizen of Duluth owns lakefront property—and this week, it came with tall ships, pirates, cannons, and more than a little maritime magic.
The Lakewalk was center stage on Thursday, July 10, as the Festival of Sail Duluth 2025 officially opened with the iconic Parade of Sail. This four-day celebration, held on the Duluth Lakewalk and harborfront, brings thousands of visitors to the shores of the world’s greatest lake. And for many, this is the can’t-miss event of the summer.
A seafaring ghost in patina green stands still as stone—until she springs to life, thrilling passersby.
This year’s festival was more than a trip back in time. It was also a proud unveiling of the DECC’s brand-new $30 million seawall and lakefront park, an ambitious infrastructure project that anchors the western edge of the Lakewalk at Bayfront Festival Park. What was once a crumbling bulkhead is now a stunning public space that expands access, safety, and lakefront beauty for generations to come.
From Canal Park to the lighthouse pier, crowds filled the Lakewalk to catch the first glimpse of the tall ships. The Aerial Lift Bridge lifted proudly as majestic vessels like the Pride of Baltimore II and Zeeto glided under, greeted by cannon blasts and cheers.
The atmosphere was both celebratory and reflective. For many Duluthians, the Parade of Sail isn’t just a spectacle—it brings to life what navigating Lake Superior was like in centuries past. The history of shipping, sailing, and shipbuilding is embedded in our identity, and for four days each summer, we celebrate it with full sails and proud hearts.
The Lakewalk has always been Duluth’s front porch to the lake. But this week, it is a stage for pageantry, heritage, and imagination. From pirates to picnics, cannon fire to creaky masts, the Festival of Sail reminds us what makes this place extraordinary.
And whether you’re eight or eighty, whether you’ve walked this path a thousand times or just once—you belong here. Because this is your Lakewalk.
