Early Public Interest

Since 1970,while Larinda was under construction, over 7000 visitors enjoyed the process. Many came from all over the world. The annual Cape Cod Boat Show held at the Tara hotel featured a booth about Larinda in 1995 and again in 1996. The Larinda booth was the hit of the show.

November 1991 - Larry Mahan presented a lecture about Larinda in Havana, Cuba. The Cuban Ministry of Tourism asked Larry to build two ships like Larinda for tourism in Cuba.

November 1992 - Officials from Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic, CT. visit and inspect the Larinda. Larinda is requested to participate in future events at the museum after she is launched. The officials are astounded at the workmanship.

Since 1994, all of the Boston area networks have featured Larinda. Lectures about Larinda have been given in many foreign countries. This has increased the visitor flow to Cape Cod and in particular, Barnstable.

Facts

September 28, 1996 - Launching - 3200 on board visitors, local and national TV coverage.

January 1997 - The Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand contacts Larry Mahan about a special award to be presented to him in June 1998 at the University of Michigan. This award is in recognition of Larry's work and educational efforts with Larinda.

May 1997 - Falmouth in the Water Boat Show - 1200 visitors came on board. Larinda was the hit of the show.

May 10, 1997 - Maiden voyage to Hyannis, MA..35 guests on trip including commentators from three radio stations represented on board. Over two hundred visitors waiting at dock in Hyannis - This was also the start of Cape Cod Maritime Week.

May 10, 1997 - Cape Cod Commission asked Larinda to be part of Cape Cod Maritime Week. 2200 visitors came on board.

Memorial Day Weekend, 1997 - Open house aboard Larinda while at Baxter's Wharf , Hyannis, MA.. Larinda volunteered to sail to Nantucket with twenty-five sponsors of the Figawi race. Open house again at Nantucket for the weekend. Donation box was aboard for the Hyannis fireworks. Over 400 visitors boarded.

June 1997 - Fox television network produced a show aboard Larinda while she was at Hyannis Marine. Program received national coverage and has been rerun many times since.

June 29, 1997 - Mystic, CT. - Woodenboat Show - Larinda wins award. Over 5000 visitors boarded. Voted most popular boat at the show.

July 4, 1997 - Hyannis, MA. - Larinda volunteers to take out fifty people for the fireworks.

July 17 - 21, 1997 - City of Salem, MA. asked that Larinda be part of a maritime festival. Salem also asked that Larinda be their flagship for the city when the Constitution sailed for the first time in over one hundred years. Larinda saluted the Constitution with a cannon both sailing days. Dignitaries from Salem and the U.S. Park Service were guests aboard Larinda during the Constitution sail.
During the Maritime Festival Larinda exchanged cannon fire with a Colonial British regiment. Over 1000 visitors boarded in Salem. A Boston television cable company produced a documentary film at Salem featuring Larinda. Several newspapers wrote articles about Larinda at the festival.

August 1997 - Onset, Ma. - Blues festival. Onset asked Larinda to come for an open house during the festival. Over 500 people boarded Larinda.

October 1997 - Portugal asks if Larinda can come to Expo 98, a World's Fair in June 1998.

November 1997 - Panama Government Tourism Office asks Larry Mahan to discuss Larinda as a tourist attraction. Tax incentives are offered.

June 9, 1998 - Ann Arbor, Mich.. Larry Mahan visits the University of Michigan to receive award for work with Larinda. Representatives from Thailand, England, Italy, Mexico, Singapore, Israel, New Zealand, Japan, France, Brazil, Columbia, Cuba, Bolivia, and the U.S.A. attended the award ceremony.

July 11 and 12, 1998 - Quincy, MA. Sixteenth Annual Boston Antique and Classic Boat Festival. Larinda takes the Finest Interior Award.

July 16 - 18, 1998 - Newburyport, MA. Larinda has open house and is invited to participate in next years events.

July 26, 1998 - New Bedford,MA - Larinda is the V.I.P. vessel for the Buzzards Bay Coalition Annual Swim Race. Larinda's cannon start and finish the race.

Aug. 5, 1998 - Bristol, R.I. Larinda visits and docks overnight at the Herreshoff Museum.

Aug. 6 - 1, 1998 - Fall River, MA. Larinda is featured at the Fall River Celebrates America Days.

Aug. 13,1998 - Onset, MA. Larinda hosts a special trip for Buzzards Bay Coalition.

Aug. 27, 1998 - Larinda meets Endeavor at the Mass Maritime Academy. Live cannon fire is exchanged in a mock battle. Larinda and Endeavor continue on and meet up with the Ernestina before sailing into New Bedford harbor.

Sept. 3, 1998 - Onset,MA. Larinda hosts fund raising party for Burgess House - Marstons Mills, MA.

Sept. 25, 1998 - Salem, MA. Larinda is asked to be part of the christening of the"Friendship", Salem's own tall ship. Sen. Kennedy, Governor Cellucci and others attend the ceremonies. Larinda's cannons highlighted this event.