Rock and Boom

Celebrate Independence Day from the decks of the old Great Lakes freighter the William G. Mather starting at 6 p.m. July 4. Food and drinks can be purchased on board, and fireworks will begin at dusk.
Cost is $12. Call (216) 621-2400 to register.
The Great Lakes Science Center accepts walk-up registrations, but space is limited.
Visitors can discover what life was like aboard the Mather when they explore the 1925-built Mather from bow to stern and see its huge cargo holds, brass and oak pilot house, elegant guest quarters and four-story engine room. They also can walk the decks and to see the “engineering firsts” that helped transform Northeast Ohio into a great industrial center.
The Mather is docked at 305 Mather Way (old Erieside Avenue), north of the Great Lakes Science Center.
The ship is open from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. daily in June, July and August. It is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday in May, September and October. Cargo chats, a speaker series, will take place on some afternoons in the summer and fall. Other days will feature special events. In September, “Happy Birthday, Captain Harry!” will celebrate the 100th birthday of the Mather captain, Harry Anderson, with stories of life aboard the Mather and history brought to life.
Due to its historic nature, the Mather has limited handicapped accessibility.
Regular daily cost is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for youths ages 5-17, and free for members.
Tickets are available on-site and at Great Lakes Science Center’s box office at 601 Erieside Ave. in Cleveland and online at www.greatscience.com.
For more information, call (216) 574-6262 or go to www.greatscience.com.