Your Guide: The 2013 Salem Maritime Festival

This year marks the 25th annual Salem Maritime Festival. I know I'm not alone among Salemites in wishing were we known more for our rich maritime history and less for the judicial murder of innocent people.

This year's festival is Saturday, Aug. 3 from noon to 4 p.m. at Derby Wharf.

As usual there will be the very popular free harbor cruises aboard ships like the sloop Fame, demonstrations of traditional crafts, seaside kite flying and a "Muck Walk."

This link explains how the lottery works for the free harbor cruises.

Live music this year includes:

• Bachata and merengue sounds from the Ricardo Monzón Orchestra at noon and 1 p.m.
• Fans of Flogging Molly and other Irish folk-punk will enjoy Sharks Come Cruisin' at 2 p.m. 
• Music ends, appropriately, with the New Bedford Harbor Sea Chantey Chorus. Me, I'm hoping they sing, "A Drop of Nelson's Blood." The performance is at 3 p.m.

• Facebook page for the event
• National Park Service Salem Maritime Festival web page
• Image gallery from the 2011 festival