The  Tall Ships Erie Festival doesn't officially start until Thursday but excitement is already building.     Some people got a surprise sneak preview today as the first vessel arrived in town.

 

The Santa Maria, a replica of the 15th century Spanish sailing ship, arrived today and caused quite a bit of excitement. You can imagine the excitement tomorrow when all the ships parade into the bayfront.

 

The Santa Maria arrived one day early for the festival. It was a breathtaking sight for anyone who happened to be in the area of the maritime museum at the time.  That includes the Stutzman's, of Millersburg, Indiana, who had not even planned to be in Erie. They were on their way to Niagara Falls but decided on a whim to stop in Erie to see what the city has to offer.

 

Watching the Santa Maria arrive in Erie  was also a big thrill for  Ed Pierce.  He and his wife are traveling to Connecticut from their home in Wisconsin and picked up a brochure about Erie at a rest stop. They decided to spend Tuesday night here and then wake up and explore the city.
   

They had no idea their unplanned stop would be such a memorable experience.

 

"We were very fortunate to see this magnificent piece of history come sailing in.  Just a huge WOW factor and clearly a once in a lifetime event,” Ed Pierce said.