Rest assured, landlubbers! Not every attraction at Tall Ships Erie 2022 will be floating on the water.

The festival grounds, which will open Friday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., will offer lots of entertainment — and educational opportunities — to those away from the docks.

"It's kind of like 'Choose Your Own Adventure,' " said William Sabatini, executive director and fleet captain of the Flagship Niagara League. "We have so many different options, so it really depends on what you want to do first."

To that end, here are some ideas:

Boasting about 40 separate vendors, the Maritime Marketplace, located inside the Bayfront Convention Center, will offer an array of games, treats, keepsakes and exhibits.

As Sabatini put it, "Everything you can think of is over at the Maritime Marketplace."

For those looking to summon their inner pirate, consider 40 Whacks Axe Throwing, a mobile ax throwing venue, where you can try your luck with an ax and a bullseye.

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For more relaxing options, consider indulging in the hand-dipped chocolate-covered snacks at Julie's Sweet Treats, of North East, or sample the flavors of KingView Mead, Wine & Hard Cider, of Washington, Pa.

Other vendors include Buona Cucina Olive Oils, of Erie; Chrome Premium Cigars, of Erie; Gina Foll Jewelry, of Erie; as well as art, nature and photography exhibits among others.

The festival will have a lineup of about 20 artists performing a variety of live music, from acoustic to pop, jazz to folk and classics to sea shanties.

Sabatini said the festival sought out local artists.

"What we wanted to do is highlight local artists because for almost two years a lot of these people weren't able to perform," said Sabatini, referencing the COVID-19 pandemic. "So, we found as many local acts as possible so we could fill out all our stages with local people."

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Among others, local artists include Mark Pacileo, a long-time Erie teacher turned full-time musician, who will play a variety of music from the 1970s and beyond, and Erie's own Claire Stuczinski, who will play a number of classic hits, according to Tall Ships Erie.

Other featured artists include Tom Kastle, a longtime maritime music performer and sailor, and the Hardtackers, a sea shanty crew based in Columbus, Ohio.

Artists will perform at the Bayfront Convention Center, the Bayfront Maritime Center and Dobbins Landing.

The Pennsylvania Archaeology and Shipwreck Survey Team will host an exhibition on ships lost in Lake Erie, at a time when the lake was one of the busiest waterways in the world. The organization's divers and researchers will discuss various lost schooners, including the Albion, Indiana, Charles Foster and Susquehanna, as well as lost steamships like the Dean Richmond and the SK Martin.

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Guest speakers include Kevin Magee, co-founder of Cleveland Underwater Explorers; and David Frew, historian, Jefferson Educational Society Scholar-in-Residence and emeritus professor at Gannon University.

Lectures and films will take place every hour from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bayfront Convention Center.

Those wanting to learn more about Erie's waterfront history can choose from a number of presentations at Hirt Auditorium, located off the lobby of the Erie Maritime Museum.

Each day will feature two presentations.

A short film on each day's theme will be shown each day at 4 p.m.

Families can stop by the Kids Zone, located on Holland Street behind the Blasco Library.

Want a little more information on tall ships?

The Blasco Library, which is connected to the Erie Maritime Museum, has set up maritime-themed book displays in light of the festival, said Erie County Public Library Director Karen Pierce.

Visitors can also check out a large wooden model of the U.S. Brig Niagara outside the library's Heritage Room, on the second floor. The model is accompanied by a display case with information and photos of the tall ships in the festival.

Pierce said there's also a display case of novels by Patrick O'Brien, the English author best known for his seafaring novels.

All our coverage of Tall Ships Erie 2022, including Thursday's Parade of Sail, can be found at GoErie.com, Facebook.com/GoErie and Instagram.com/goeriecom.

A.J. Rao can be reached at arao@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNRao.