This from business reporter C.R. Roberts:

If you’re looking to sell fried clams (or hot dogs, cotton candy, pottery, beaded necklaces or any other type of food, arts or crafts) along the waterfront at the 2008 Tall Ships Festival – you’re too late.

I spoke with Clare Petrich, co-chairwoman of the event, at a Tacoma Chamber luncheon today, and she tells me that all booth space has been spoken for.

However, there’s still room if you’d like to climb aboard and join in as an event sponsor. As of today, at various levels, current sponsors include State Farm, City of Tacoma, TOTE, Port of Tacoma, Emerald Queen Casino, Evergreen Shipping Line, Columbia Bank, City of Fife and Foss Waterway Seaport.

Sponsorships begin at $5,000.

Also, Petrich said, there are openings for after-hours event sponsors, which would give access to a ship in the late evening to host a corporate gathering or private celebration.

As for volunteers, Petrich reported that “the biggest push right now” is for volunteers who would work in areas including administration, visitor assistance, information and transportation.

Among the 32 ships scheduled for Tall Ships 2008, Petrich told the chamber members they could expect to see a pair of interesting replicas: the Bounty, from movie fame, and the Nina, which sailed a journey of discovery in 1492.

She also offered the latest Tall Ships Tacoma video: