Volvo Ocean Race Village Opens to the Public

Fort Adams State Park has been transformed into a world-class sailing epicenter and today, the Volvo Ocean Race Race Village opens to the public, kicking off 12 days of sailing, family fun and more.

The village officially opens to the public at 3 p.m., followed by a 3:30 p.m. parade of children celebrating the nationalities of Volvo Ocean Race teams as high school sailing teams float on the water.

The Navy Northeast Band will perform at 3:45 p.m. and the opening ceremony officially begins at 4 p.m.

Among the high-profile attendees at the festivities will be Governor Gina Raimondo, Congressman David Cicilline, Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed and local officials.

The Volvo Ocean Race is a global circumnavigation race that began last October in Alicante, Spain, and finishes in June in Gothenburg, Sweden. It visits 10 ports in 10 countries over the course of nine months. Newport was announced as the only stopover in North America on Feb. 5, 2013.

The Race Village is open daily and admission is free to all ages. There is a parking fee of $10 or $20 at Fort Adams State Park May 9-17.

The twelve-day public celebration will feature racing off the shore of Fort Adams (May 14-17), entertainment, a marine Exploration Zone, sponsor pavilions, family games, a “Life at the Extreme” theater, team compounds, try sailing, kids activities, concerts and a working boatyard. The race boats will be docked at Fort Adams for public viewing.

For more information, check the Volvo Ocean Race website and be sure to Follow the Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover on the Web, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, with #VORNewport.