The Essex National Heritage Commission has issued a call to all heritage non-profit and community organizations, as well as recreation- and heritage tourism-based businesses, to participate as site hosts for the eleventh annual TRAILS & SAILS: Two Weekends of Walks & Water, September 21-23 & September 28-30, 2012. Hosting a TRAILS & SAILS event is a great way to build public awareness and audience for your cause, mission and organization, and further enhance your visibility on the North Shore. Organizations and businesses interested in using the TRAILS & SAILS partnership event to attract new audience or potential members to their site or business are encouraged to participate. Designed to showcase the unique array of historic, cultural, and natural resources within the Essex National Heritage Area, TRAILS & SAILS is the largest collection of unique and exciting free experiences in our region meant to connect residents and visitors alike to the spectacular places and faces that define the Essex National Heritage Area. The weekends include over 100 free events throughout the 34 cities and towns of Essex County, Massachusetts. Site hosts can choose to offer a unique, one-hour experience once, or multiple times during the last two weekends in September. Popular events offered in previous years include guided hikes, walks, sails, paddles, as well as historical tours and behind the scenes adventures for all ages, skill levels and interests.

TRAILS & SAILS event submission begins online in March. Those interested in hosting an activity, demonstration, lecture, or any other type of historic, cultural or outdoors event, can learn more about TRAILS & SAILS online at www.trailsandsails.org or at an upcoming TRAILS & SAILS planning session. All past and prospective event hosts are invited to attend an upcoming TRAILS & SAILS planning session to learn more about the benefits of hosting a TRAILS & SAILS event and to connect with other event hosts to get ideas for events, scheduling, as well as marketing and promoting your site to the thousands of residents and visitors who participate in TRAILS & SAILS each year. Please contact Essex Heritage at (978) 740-0444 to add your organization to the event host line-up, or to RSVP to attend one of the following TRAILS & SAILS planning sessions for hosts:

‘ Friday, March 2, 9-10 AM at the Beverly Historical Society’s Cabot House (117 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA 01915).

‘ Thursday, March 8, 9-10 AM at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge HQ (6 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, MA 01950).

For additional information visit www.trailsandsails.org, or contact Essex Heritage at (978) 740-0444.