The Maritime Museum's 2008 Festival of Sail celebration began this morning as majestic tallships and other sailing vessels from around the world paraded into San Diego Bay and docked at the North Embarcadero. The crew of Columbia's tallship Gloria manned the yardarms as the vessel transited the Bay. The United States Coast Guard's 293-foot-long Eagle returned to San Diego for its first visit since 1999. Visitors to the festival, which stretches along Harbor Drive between Grape and Ash Streets, will be able to tour the 20 vessels from 9:00 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Sunday, August 24. The Port of San Diego is the title sponsor of this nautical celebration. Over 700,000 visitors are expected to visit the waterfront during the five days of festivities. (from portofsandiego.org)