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Find Your Sea Story at Mystic Seaport Museum This Summer

Find Your Sea Story at Mystic Seaport Museum This Summer
Explore an exciting lineup of activities, events and exhibitions at the Museum!

Mystic, Conn. (June 13, 2024) – At Mystic Seaport Museum we believe the sea connects us all, and we invite visitors to explore the nation’s largest maritime museum to find their sea story this summer. Here visitors can imagine life on a ship by boarding one of the Museum’s four national historic landmark vessels; witness traditional shipbuilding techniques as skilled shipwrights maintain historic wooden vessels in the Henry B. du Pont Preservation Shipyard; reveal personal connections to the sea through our specially curated exhibitions; and learn about maritime trades that supported life at sea and on land in the 19th century in the Museum’s re-created seaport village.

Guests can also navigate the waterfront with a river cruise on the National Historic Landmark vessel Sabino, built in 1908; or be their own captain on a rowboat, sailboat, or pedal boat from the Museum’s Boathouse.

Mystic Seaport Museum has curated an extensive summer event lineup for all to enjoy:

  1. Voyage to the Deep – Underwater Adventures, On exhibit through September 2 | Based on French author Jules Verne’s 1870 classic, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, this immersive exhibition brings to life the adventures of Captain Nemo, his fantastical submarine Nautilus, and the mythical world he inhabited. On board, discover the inner workings of a deep-sea vessel, take up the controls at the helm, look through the periscopes, crank the propeller, test out the bunks, and explore Captain Nemo’s Cabinet of Curiosities, full of incredible marine specimens! Keep watch for special family programming all summer long, from weekly story time and crafts to special events.
  2. 2024 Artists in Residence, Now through August 17 | In partnership with the Center for American Marine Art, the Museum welcomes four artists in residence this summer: Joyful Enriquez, Tom Swimm, Brechin Morgan, and Serena Bates. Visitors are invited to learn more about their unique techniques and processes as they work in Clift Block in the Seaport Village. Much of the artwork on view is available for sale. Check out our website for residency dates for each artist.
  1. Model Train Show, Friday–Tuesday, June 14–18 | The local Mystic Seaport Ship Modelers will be displaying a narrow-gauge short line that winds its way through marshes and sand dunes to small ports through a southern New England coastal environment. Members of the Mystic Seaport Ship Modelers will be present to answer questions and talk with visitors throughout the show.
  1. Juneteenth Recognition Events, Wednesday, June 19, 3:00 p.m. | Mystic Seaport Museum and Discovering Amistad are collaborating for the fifth year to bring a Juneteenth recognition event to the grounds of the Museum.
  1. WoodenBoat Show, Friday–Sunday, June 28–30 | The 32nd annual WoodenBoat Show, hosted in partnership with WoodenBoat Publications, returns to the Museum with more than 100 traditional and classic wooden boats of every type on display, from handcrafted kayaks to mahogany runabouts, and classic daysailers to schooners. Vendors of all kinds will be set up across the Museum grounds—crafts, antiques, gear, and food—plus classes, demonstrations, and so much more for visitors to enjoy.
  1. Revolutionary War Encampment, Saturday, July 6 | Drills and demonstrations by reenactors of Revolutionary War Continental and British soldiers!
  1. International Sea Glass Festival, Saturday–Sunday, July 27–28 | The 18th Annual International Sea Glass Festival returns to the Museum for the second year with artisans, speakers, a sea glass contest, and more.
  1. Fire Fighter Festival, Saturday, August 17 | Water displays by the Fireboat FIRE FIGHTER, rescue demonstrations by the Mystic Fire Department, and a variety of first response boats and vehicles. All first responders will receive free admission to the event.
  1. 33rd Annual Antique Marine Engine Expo, Saturday–Sunday, August 17–18 | One of the oldest major marine engines shows in the nation, this expo offers over 300 exhibits.

Additionally, visitors can enjoy a multitude of ongoing activities from a variety of tours, lectures, live music, world-class exhibitions, including Entwined: Freedom, Sovereignty, and the Sea, the annual Moby-Dick Marathon, dining, and more! The Funk Children’s Museum, Home Port activity center, Discovery Barn, and ships playscapes provide ample opportunity for daily family fun.

Add-on activities include designing and building your own toy boat in the Toy Boat Workshop and navigating the stars at Treworgy Planetarium.

 For the latest events, information, updates and for tickets, visit us at www.mysticseaport.org.

About Mystic Seaport Museum

Mystic Seaport Museum is the nation’s leading maritime Museum. Founded in 1929 to gather and preserve the rapidly disappearing artifacts of America’s seafaring past, the Museum has grown to become a national center for research and education with the mission to “inspire an enduring connection to the American maritime experience.” The Museum’s grounds cover 19 acres on the Mystic River in Mystic, CT, and include a recreated New England coastal village, a working shipyard, formal exhibit halls, and state-of-the-art artifact storage facilities. The Museum is home to more than 500 historic watercraft, including four National Historic Landmark vessels, most notably the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan. For more information, please visit mysticseaport.org and follow the Museum on FacebookXYouTube, and Instagram.

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Join us at Mystic Seaport Museum for the Firefighter Festival

Celebrate 85th Birthday of Fireboat FIRE FIGHTER

FIRE FIGHTER Water Demonstration

Mystic, Conn. (July 25, 2023) – Mystic Seaport Museum, in partnership with Mystic Fire Department and Fireboat Fire Fighter Museum, is thrilled to announce the Firefighter Festival, a special event to honor first responders and celebrate the 85th birthday of the iconic Fireboat FIRE FIGHTER. The festival will take place on August 26 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at Mystic Seaport Museum.

The Firefighter Festival promises a day filled with exciting demonstrations, displays, and activities for the whole family. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore a variety of emergency response boats and vehicles, while learning about fire safety and prevention and first response careers. All first responders will receive free admission to the event, and a suggested donation of $10 will benefit FIRE FIGHTER.

Static displays will include police and fire boats, antique fire trucks, hand-pumpers, and more. Guests can also look forward to thrilling active demonstrations, such as a Newfoundland rescue demo and water displays by FIRE FIGHTER at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm. Visiting boats will join in the water displays, creating a spectacular show for all attendees. Additionally, there will be a Breeches Buoy demo, kids’ activities, crafts, and face painting.

Confirmed partners for the event include Mystic Fire Department, East Hampton (CT) Fire Department, East Hampton (NY) Fire Department, Colchester Hayward Volunteer Fire Department, US Coast Guard, Greenport (NY) Fire Department, and Lifestar.

During the Firefighter Festival, guests will have the unique opportunity to tour the legendary Fireboat FIRE FIGHTER, meet the crew, and witness the mighty water cannons in action during the dockside water displays. Known as “America’s Fireboat,” FIRE FIGHTER has played a crucial role in protecting the United States during significant incidents throughout history. From WWII-era catastrophes to assisting in the rescue of US Airways Flight 1549 passengers, FIRE FIGHTER continues to serve as a fully operational vessel, as well as a memorial and teaching museum. Designated as a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, FIRE FIGHTER is a true testament to American firefighting history.

Don’t miss out on this extraordinary celebration to honor our first responders and Fireboat FIRE FIGHTER’s 85th birthday. Join us at Mystic Seaport Museum on August 26 for a day filled with educational and thrilling experiences. This event is free for members and included in admission for non-members. Museum admission is free to Connecticut resident children ages 18 and younger plus one accompanying adult through the CT Summer at the Museum program which runs until September 4.

For more information on this event, please visit here.

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Media Contact

Sophia Matsas
Director of Marketing & Communications
Mystic Seaport Museum
860.572.5317 (o)
sophia.matsas@mysticseaport.org

About Mystic Seaport Museum

Mystic Seaport Museum is the nation’s leading maritime Museum. Founded in 1929 to gather and preserve the rapidly disappearing artifacts of America’s seafaring past, the Museum has grown to become a national center for research and education with the mission to “inspire an enduring connection to the American maritime experience.” The Museum’s grounds cover 19 acres on the Mystic River in Mystic, CT, and include a recreated New England coastal village, a working shipyard, formal exhibit halls, and state-of-the-art artifact storage facilities. The Museum is home to more than 500 historic watercraft, including four National Historic Landmark vessels, most notably the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan. For more information, please visit mysticseaport.org and follow the Museum on FacebookTwitterYouTube, and Instagram.

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Experience an Unforgettable Summer at Mystic Seaport Museum!

Experience an Unforgettable Summer at Mystic Seaport Museum!

Mystic, Conn. (June 7, 2023) – Mystic Seaport Museum is thrilled to announce an incredible lineup of captivating summer events. Nestled in the charming coastal village of Mystic, Connecticut, the Museum invites visitors of all ages to embark on an unforgettable journey through maritime history, interactive exhibits, and engaging activities.

Discover the wonders that await you this summer at Mystic Seaport Museum:

  1. Juneteenth Recognition Events, Sunday, June 11, and Monday, June 19 | On June 11, the Museum is collaborating with Discovering Amistad for the fourth year in this recognition event featuring a keynote lecture, live music, artisan vendors, and tours of the flagship of Connecticut, the Amistad. On June 19, join us at the Museum’s new Performance Stage for a live theatrical performance of “Harriet Tubman: Woman with a Railroad,” written and performed by Adwoa Bandele-Asante.
  2. WoodenBoat Show, Friday–Sunday, June 23–25 | The 31st annual WoodenBoat Show, hosted in partnership with WoodenBoat Publications, returns to the Museum offering something for all wooden boat enthusiasts and maritime history buffs.
  3. Independence Day Celebration, Saturday, July 1 | Kick off your Fourth of July weekend with drills and demonstrations by Continental and British soldiers!
  4. Antique & Classic Boat Rendezvous, Saturday, July 22 | Join us for a dazzling display of high-quality antique and classic vessels including cruisers, sailboats, and runabouts. Approximately 25 classic vessels will create a colorful gathering along the Museum’s waterfront all day.
  5. 17th Annual International Sea Glass Association Festival, Saturday–Sunday, July 29–30 | The 17th Annual International Sea Glass Association Festival will be held at the Museum. Shop to support ISGA artists who will be selling their creations and learn about sea and beach glass from the experts.
  6. The 32nd Annual Antique Marine Engine Expo, Saturday–Sunday, August 19–20 |This is one of the oldest major marine engines shows in the nation with over 300 exhibits.
  7. Get out on the water!, daily through Labor Day | We offer visitors numerous opportunities to get out on the water this summer! From river cruises and sail, row, and pedal boat rentals to private charters, there’s a unique experience for everyone!

In addition to these highlighted events, visitors can enjoy a multitude of ongoing activities, including shipyard tours, lectures and book talks, live music, world-class exhibitions, including Alexis Rockman: Oceanus, the annual Moby-Dick Marathon, dedicated children’s spaces, on-site dining and more!

“We are thrilled to present a summer season filled with exciting events and experiences,” said Peter Armstrong, President at Mystic Seaport Museum. “These offerings provide a unique opportunity for visitors to engage with maritime history and culture in an interactive and enjoyable manner. We look forward to welcoming visitors from near and far to experience summer at Mystic Seaport Museum.”

For more information on the summer events at Mystic Seaport Museum and to plan your trip, visit the Museum website here.

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Media Contact

Sophia Matsas
Director of Marketing & Communications
Mystic Seaport Museum
860.572.5317 (o)
sophia.matsas@mysticseaport.org

About Mystic Seaport Museum

Mystic Seaport Museum is the nation’s leading maritime Museum. Founded in 1929 to gather and preserve the rapidly disappearing artifacts of America’s seafaring past, the Museum has grown to become a national center for research and education with the mission to “inspire an enduring connection to the American maritime experience.” The Museum’s grounds cover 19 acres on the Mystic River in Mystic, CT, and include a recreated New England coastal village, a working shipyard, formal exhibit halls, and state-of-the-art artifact storage facilities. The Museum is home to more than 500 historic watercraft, including four National Historic Landmark vessels, most notably the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan. For more information, please visit mysticseaport.org and follow the Museum on FacebookTwitterYouTube, and Instagram.

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Pirate Days Returns to Mystic Seaport Museum April 11–12

Pirate Days Returns to Mystic Seaport Museum April 11–12

Mystic, Conn. (March 27, 2023)Pirate Days, an annual springtime favorite returns to Mystic Seaport Museum on April 11–12. Children of all ages will enjoy a variety of pirate-themed activities taking place across the 19-acre campus of the Museum.

Daily activities included with admission:

10:00 am–3:00 pm: Play games on the McGraw Gallery Quadrangle.

10:00 am–4:00 pm: Dig for buried “treasure” on Australia Beach.

10:30 am & 3:00 pm: See theatrical performances on the Performance Stage.

10:30–11:30 am & 12:30–3:30 pm: Complete a pirate adventure course.

10:30 am–2:30 pm: Make pirate crafts in the Toy Boat Workshop.

11:00 am: View a cannon firing drill on Middle Wharf.

12:00 & 1:15 pm: See pirate-themed musical performances on the Performance Stage.

2:15 pm: Join a pirate parade on the Village Green!

Add-on activities include:

10:00 am–3:00 pm: Treasure hunt! Purchase your treasure hunting kit and follow the map and pirate clue decoder to find the hidden treasure. (Kits $8, free for Members)

1:00 & 3:00 pm: Enjoy the “High Seas” Planetarium Show. (Admission $8, Members $5)

Visitors can also explore the Funk Children’s Museum and the Discovery Barn, enjoy our Playscapes, see current exhibitions, watch shipwrights at work in the Henry B. du Pont Preservation Shipyard, and more!

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit our website.

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Media Contact

Sophia Matsas
Director of Marketing & Communications
Mystic Seaport Museum
860.572.5317 (o)
sophia.matsas@mysticseaport.org

About Mystic Seaport Museum

Mystic Seaport Museum is the nation’s leading maritime Museum. Founded in 1929 to gather and preserve the rapidly disappearing artifacts of America’s seafaring past, the Museum has grown to become a national center for research and education with the mission to “inspire an enduring connection to the American maritime experience.” The Museum’s grounds cover 19 acres on the Mystic River in Mystic, CT, and include a recreated New England coastal village, a working shipyard, formal exhibit halls, and state-of-the-art artifact storage facilities. The Museum is home to more than 500 historic watercraft, including four National Historic Landmark vessels, most notably the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan. For more information, please visit mysticseaport.org and follow the Museum on FacebookTwitterYouTube, and Instagram.

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Press Releases

Mystic Seaport Museum to Host Wintertide During Presidents’ Day Weekend

Mystic, Conn. (January 30, 2023) – Mystic Seaport Museum will be celebrating the great outdoors during Wintertide, an event spanning three days over Presidents’ Day Weekend. Visitors can shake off the cabin fever and experience frosty fun the whole family will enjoy!

Featured activities will include:

10:00 am-12:00 pm, Daily: Live Ice Sculpture Demonstration (weather permitting)

11:00 am-4:00 pm, Daily: Meet reindeer! There will be four reindeer on the grounds for visitors to interact with and pet.

11:00 am-3:00 pm, Daily: Meet working winter dogs, St. Bernards (Saturday) and Newfoundlands (Sunday and Monday).

1:00-3:00 pm, Daily: Kid-friendly live music in the Meeting House, with Steve Elci & Friends (Saturday), BenAnna Band (Sunday), and Craig Edwards (Monday).

2:00 pm, Saturday: Justin Fornal discusses his Great Arctic Swim (longest continuous swim in the Arctic). Then he’ll dive into the Mystic River and swim from the Museum to downtown Mystic!

2:00 pm, Sunday: Indigenous Cooking Demonstration at Buckingham-Hall House with Silvermoon LaRose (Narragansett/Niantic).

Visitors will also be able to enjoy daily planetarium shows, sock skating, games, crafts, talks across the grounds on a variety of topics including whalers in the Arctic, Gerda III and the rescue of Danish Jews, tales of the Mystic ice trade, and more.

Propeller Café and Schaefer’s Spouter Tavern will  be open serving up a variety of food and beverage options to compliment the frosty theme including, hot cocoa and s’mores kits.

Guests will have the opportunity to warm up next to a fire while enjoying their hot cocoa and then check out the Museum’s blockbuster exhibition, Sargent, Whistler, and Venetian Glass: American Artists and the Magic of Murano, before it closes on February 27.

“We’re flipping the script on winter, which often confines activity to indoor spaces.  Wintertide is a celebration of winter, utilizing our grounds to reimagine the season with a combination of outdoor exploration and indoor adventures,” says Museum President Peter Armstrong.

Most activities are included with general admission and free for Museum Members. Tickets purchased online for Wintertide are valid for all three days of the event.

Learn more, purchase tickets and see the full event lineup here.

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Media Contact

Sophia Matsas
Director of Marketing & Communications
Mystic Seaport Museum
860.572.5317 (o)
sophia.matsas@mysticseaport.org

About Mystic Seaport Museum

Mystic Seaport Museum is the nation’s leading maritime Museum. Founded in 1929 to gather and preserve the rapidly disappearing artifacts of America’s seafaring past, the Museum has grown to become a national center for research and education with the mission to “inspire an enduring connection to the American maritime experience.” The Museum’s grounds cover 19 acres on the Mystic River in Mystic, CT, and include a recreated New England coastal village, a working shipyard, formal exhibit halls, and state-of-the-art artifact storage facilities. The Museum is home to more than 500 historic watercraft, including four National Historic Landmark vessels, most notably the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan. For more information, please visit mysticseaport.org and follow the Museum on FacebookTwitterYouTube, and Instagram.

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Press Releases

MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM PARTNERS WITH WESTERLY SOUND ON NEW MUSIC SERIES

Mystic, Conn. (September 20, 2022) – Mystic Seaport Museum has launched a creative partnership with event production agency Westerly Sound, founded by nationally-recognized artist, musician and Westerly resident, Sean W. Spellman. The new collaboration seeks to expand the current live music programming at the Museum, providing visitors with diverse performances from musicians and bands from around the country. The new partnership is discussing a monthly music series as well as a potential multi-day music festival on the Museum’s 19-acre campus sometime in the future.

The kickoff event, dubbed “Mystic Folkways,” will happen as part of the Museum’s 3-day Riverfest celebration happening October 8, 9, and 10. Mystic Folkways (presented by Westerly Sound) will take place on Sunday, October 9 and feature a number of national and regional acts, as well as notable locals. The lineup includes Deer Tick (acoustic), Ian Felice (Felice Brothers), Martin Courtney (Real Estate), Nick Panken (Spirit Family Reunion), Tim Easton, James Maple, Karl Blau, The Can Kickers, Wildflower, and Sol/Rio Family Band. The event will run 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“Sean brings a ton of experience, creativity, energy and vision to this partnership, as well as a deep appreciation for the Museum’s unique location and long tradition of offering affordable, family-friendly entertainment.” says Kevin O’Leary, VP of Marketing & Business Development for Mystic Seaport Museum. “The whole area around Mystic is really buzzing, the state is enjoying live music more than ever, it’s the right time and place for a partnership like this.”

“Kevin’s vision for growing the Museums live music programming is something we immediately connected on” Spellman says. “I’m super excited to work with him and the rest of the staff there to do some really cool things at such a unique location. It’s an incredibly valuable cultural asset to our community and I’m grateful to be a part of it, and to work alongside a person with equal passion and understanding of the positive role music can play in bringing people together.”

All shows are included with the Museum’s general admission and free for current Museum members. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online at www.mysticseaport.org.

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Media Contact

Sophia Matsas
Director of Marketing & Communications
Mystic Seaport Museum
860.572.5317 (o)
sophia.matsas@mysticseaport.org

About Mystic Seaport Museum

Mystic Seaport Museum is the nation’s leading maritime Museum. Founded in 1929 to gather and preserve the rapidly disappearing artifacts of America’s seafaring past, the Museum has grown to become a national center for research and education with the mission to “inspire an enduring connection to the American maritime experience.” The Museum’s grounds cover 19 acres on the Mystic River in Mystic, CT, and include a recreated New England coastal village, a working shipyard, formal exhibit halls, and state-of-the-art artifact storage facilities. The Museum is home to more than 500 historic watercraft, including four National Historic Landmark vessels, most notably the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan. For more information, please visit mysticseaport.org and follow the Museum on FacebookTwitterYouTube, and Instagram.

About Westerly Sound

Westerly Sound is an ongoing series of cultural events programmed in and around the coastal community of Westerly, RI, midway between New York City and Boston. Each with a music component, Westerly Sound presents art, food, film and concert events in unique spaces throughout Westerly and surrounding areas. Curated by Sean W Spellman, and first introduced as the United Folk Festival in July ‘17, Westerly Sound has grown to include a diverse lineup of artists in a constantly evolving series of locations…from music venues and historic buildings, to public parks and small studios. It has brought nationally recognized artists and musicians to the Westerly area and hopes to continue to do so in an attempt to support a creative community by promoting diverse cultural events of quality and recognition, open to people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy. For more information, please visit westerlysound.org and follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

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Labor Day Weekend at the Museum!

A Panorama Festival Labor Day WeekendCelebrate Labor Day Weekend at Mystic Seaport Museum with a Panorama Festival

The weather looks great for Labor Day weekend, and we are ready to celebrate the end of an amazing summer with our Panorama Festival, which runs from Saturday, September 4th – Monday, September 6th.

This adventure-packed event celebrates cultural diversity and will feature hands-on activities for kids and adults as well as food trucks, live music, dancing, crafts, demonstrations, and more. From the Azores to West Africa, and Brazil to Hawaii, visitors will experience different cultural activities and cuisine from around the world.

The festival is centered around a 1275-foot-long painting, A Spectacle in Motion: The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World, which details the fascinating voyage of a typical mid-19th century New Bedford whaleship on its journey ‘round the world’ in pursuit of whales. Along the way, it depicts scenes (some from the artists’ experiences, some historic, and some imagined) in such far-flung places as the Azores, Cape Verde, Brazil, Tahiti, and Hawaii. People, places, vessels, wildlife, and events spring to life as they were seen from a 19th-century perspective. The painting is being shown in sections in an exhibition at the Museum, which runs through March 2022.

Among the highlights of this event is an authentic Hula Demonstration by the Kaiholunuie Polynesian Dance Company (KPDC). Their performance company consists of a thriving multicultural group who come together as extended ohana (family), to teach the art of, and deeper meanings of the hula, as well as other forms of Polynesian dance. Their performance will be on Saturday from 3 – 3:45 p.m. and includes audience participation.

For the sea-chantey-loving crowd, the cast of the hit Off-Broadway musical comedy The Imbible: Rum and Pirates will perform a selection of sea chanteys and nautical songs on Monday from 2:30 -3 p.m. to provide a unique a cappella soundtrack to The Grand Panorama voyage.

Those who enjoy food trucks and authentic cuisine from around the world will be happy to feast on eats from Merengue & Reds (Dominican), Suya (Nigerian), Captain Scott’s (local seafood), Go Truck Yourself (Peruvian), and Hometown Poke (Hawaiian).

The Mystic Seaport Museum is happy to present this event and all its accompanying activities as part of the Museum admission, with no extra cost. It will also be the last weekend to take advantage of Connecticut’s Summer at the Museum program, where all Connecticut children and one accompanying adult are admitted free of charge. Hope to see you there!

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