Mermaids and seahorses will welcome the Tall Ships' crews when they sail into the North-East next month.
School children are creating sea creatures to mark the launch of Leviathan - a Gateshead Council programme of more than 30 community events.
The Tall Ships' Races 2005 is a highlight of the region's 2005 Alive International Festival of Rivers and the Sea, which starts on July 26.
Councillor John McElroy, cabinet member for culture, said: "Hosting The Tall Ships' Races 2005 is a major coup for NewcastleGateshead and we were keen to build on this and develop a programme of work at a community level that will creatively inspire and mean something to local people and spread the energy and excitement of the race.
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