Taking place over the July 4, 2006 holiday weekend, the once-in-a-lifetime maritime spectacular, Pepsi Americas Sail 2006, attracted over 150,000 people to the historic town of Beaufort, North Carolina. They came from Brazil, Virginia, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and even tiny Rhode Island.

Fourteen magnificant tall ships—from the 249 foot Cisne Branco to 54 foot Meka II—gathered on North Carolina's Crystal Coast from June 30-July 5, 2006. In addition to bringing an impressive collection of tall ships to Beaufort and Morehead City in the summer of 2006,, Pepsi Americas' Sail featured a fun-filled week of activities designed to entertain, educate and inspire visitors.

Among the events hosted were the WRAL Parade of Sail in which tall ships unfurled their sails and cannon blasts filled the air as the ships made way past the shores of Atlantic Beach, Fort Macon State Park, Morehead City and Beaufort. 

Thousands of spectators were expected to line the shores to watch this breathtaking sight. 

As these magnificent vessels come through the inlet they went to Morehead City where the Class A vessels moored at the N.C. Port of Morehead City.

The Class B vessels continued back past Radio Island and Pivers Island to Taylor 's Creek where they moored at the docks on the Beaufort waterfront and the Olde Beaufort Seaport.

Visitors enjoyed ship tours, live music and entertainment from such big name acts as Train and Delbert McClinton, a ship race and a July 4 celebration.

Pepsi Americas Sail 2006