The Western Flyer Sets Sail Again!
Join us Sunday, March 16, 2025, at Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey for a send-off 85 years in the making! The Western Flyer is setting sail for the Gulf of California once again, and we’re throwing a party worthy of its legendary past.
Step aboard for free tours, tap your toes to live swing music (or learn how to swing), show off your best 1940s look, belt out a sea shanty, and check out vintage cars before we bid the Flyer farewell with a fireboat salute. It’s history in the making—come be part of it!
Event Details
📅 Date: Sunday, March 16, 2025
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Location: Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey
💰 Cost: Free and open to all!
🚢 Step aboard! Open house tours of the Western Flyer run from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM—your chance to explore this historic vessel up close. No reservations are needed! Feeling fancy? Dress in your best 1940s attire for a shot at VIP deck access during the final hour before departure!
🍽️ Eat like Steinbeck! Old Fisherman’s Wharf restaurants are serving up a taste of history, including Old Fisherman’s Grotto’s Jack Rose Cocktail (a Steinbeck favorite) and Steinbeck’s Posole—a humble dish with a delicious twist from Chef Juan Ponce.
🌦️ Rain or Shine! The celebration is on! If the weather gets wild, we’ll roll with it—shifting some festivities indoors and keeping the good times going. Sign up for our newsletter or follow us on Facebook or Instagram for updates.
Event Highlights & Schedule
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
🚢 Open House Tours of the Western Flyer – Step aboard this legendary vessel for a rare up-close look before she sets sail on her next great adventure.
🎨 Science & Art Activities – Dive into hands-on fun for all ages, inspired by the Western Flyer’s legacy of exploration and discovery.
🚗 Vintage Car Display – Cruise back in time with classic 1940s automobiles, courtesy of Empire Vintage Autos & Del Monte Auto Club.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
✨ Ballet Folklórico Efrayim – Traditional Mexican dance performance led by Ángel Efraín Álvarez-Nolasco.
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
🎷 Swing into the 1940s! – The Cannery Row Jump Dancers and The Moonglow Jazz Band are bringing the rhythm! Grab a partner and hit the dance floor—or jump into a free swing dance lesson and get those feet moving!
2:00 PM
🎭 1940s Costume Contest Winners Announced – Dress in your best 1940s attire for a chance to win fun prizes and VIP access aboard the Western Flyer!
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
🥂 VIP Party on the Flyer – Exclusive gathering for costume contest winners!
⚓ The Fishwives Sea Shanty Band – Send the Flyer off in style with rollicking sea shanties!
3:00 PM – Grand Send-Off!
🚢 The Western Flyer Departs for Mexico – Join us for a fireboat salute and ship horn blast as we wave her off in true 1940s style!
Be Part of History!
The Western Flyer is one of the most iconic vessels of the 20th century, made famous by John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts’ 1940 expedition to the Gulf of California. Now, 85 years later, she is heading south once again—continuing a mission of education, exploration, and conservation.
🔥 Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime moment! Whether you arrive in full 1940s fashion or just come to soak in the atmosphere, we can’t wait to celebrate with you.
💙 Make History with Us—Double Your Gift!
Now through March 16, every dollar you give will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000—helping us bring hands-on marine science and exploration to the next generation.
👉 Donate Now to ensure the Western Flyer’s legacy continues!
📸 Tag us in your photos! → Instagram: @WesternFlyerFoundation Facebook: @thewesternflyer
🚢 Follow along! Where’s the Flyer?
Thank You to Our Partners!
This event wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our partners.
Event Partners
2025-26 Corporate Partners
Captain’s Crew – $5K
Friends of the Flyer – $2.5K
Monterey Mariners – $1K
Interested in becoming a Corporate Partner? Learn More.
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