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DULUTH — The City of Duluth announced Wednesday that both the iconic Aerial Lift Bridge and the Minnesota Slip Bridge will operate on adjusted lift schedules this week to accommodate the influx of visitors and tall ships arriving for the popular Festival of Sail.
The modified hours will run from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day, beginning Thursday and continuing through Sunday. During this window, the Minnesota Slip Bridge — which connects Canal Park to the DECC and is a key pedestrian thoroughfare — will lift on a precise timetable: at 15 and 45 minutes past every hour. The predictable cadence aims to keep foot traffic flowing smoothly while still accommodating marine vessels navigating the slip.
Meanwhile, Duluth’s Aerial Lift Bridge, a towering landmark and a draw in its own right, will see its biggest adjustment on Thursday. That’s when the much-anticipated Parade of Sail will pass beneath it, showcasing a procession of majestic tall ships from around the globe. The parade is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. and wrap up by roughly 1 p.m. During this two-hour window, motorists and pedestrians can expect prolonged lift intervals — as many as three ships may pass through at a time before the bridge is lowered again to resume land traffic.
“Folks planning to cross the bridge during the parade should build in plenty of extra time,” city officials said in a statement. “The Parade of Sail is a signature moment for Duluth, and it understandably takes priority on the water.”
Once the tall ships have cleared the canal, the Aerial Lift Bridge will revert to its regular summer schedule, raising on the hour and half-hour to accommodate marine traffic.
City officials are also urging patience throughout the festival, with tens of thousands of visitors expected to flood into Canal Park and downtown Duluth. Significant traffic congestion is anticipated, and drivers are advised to plan alternate routes or consider walking, biking or using the city’s transit options when possible.
The Festival of Sail, which runs through the weekend, brings an electric atmosphere to Duluth’s waterfront, filling Harbor Drive and Bayfront Festival Park with maritime enthusiasts, local vendors, live music and ship deck tours. Hotels are near capacity, restaurants are bracing for long waits, and local businesses are preparing for some of their busiest days of the year.
For more information on bridge lift schedules and traffic updates during the event, the city encourages residents and visitors to monitor Duluth’s official channels and social media pages.
