DULUTH (AP) - The city of Duluth is expecting big crowds for this week's tall ships festival - and that means a big windfall, too.

Visit Duluth President Terry Mattson estimates the festival that starts Thursday will bring in $15 million, as well as priceless publicity.

The city is bracing for at least 250,000 spectators. It's a renewal of a festival that has been building in size, with 10 ships taking part in the latest edition.

The US Brig Niagara and Pride of Baltimore II, replicas of ships from the War of 1812, will be familiar to the Twin Ports. Vessels making their first visit to the harbor include the Peacemaker, built in Brazil, and the SS Sorlandet, a full-rigged three-mast ship from Norway.

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