A tall ship will be accompanying the beer fleet from Truro to Falmouth to launch this year's Fal River Festival.
Organisers are planning the biggest ever celebration to open the event, which is being sponsored by Truro and Penwith College.
A record number of boats will take part in the beer fleet launch, which sees a ceremonial cask of beer carried between the two towns.
And for the first time it will include a tall ship, the Bessie Allen.
This 116ft, eight-sail vessel, is one of the last three surviving Westcountry trading ketches out of 700 that still sail.
Built in 1904, she continued to run cargoes under sail until 1947 and in 2000 she underwent a two-year restoration project.
Adam Purser, of day sponsor Classic Sailing, said: "We're very excited about sailing Bessie Ellen.
"It's a great event and fantastic to see so many boats and crafts taking part and bringing a real sense of celebration into Falmouth from the water."
The beer fleet will be on May 24 to mark the start of ten days of events across Falmouth and Truro.
Festival coordinator Dot Peryer said: "The fleet is an event that sticks in people's minds and gets them in the mood for the festivities that follow.
"I think it has the potential to go from the beer fleet to the beer armada."
For more details about the festival and a programme of events visit the website www.falriver.co.uk/festival
