Province Playing Host to Tall Ships Challenge 2004

WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT CORP.--Province Playing Host to Tall Ships Challenge 2004

Nova Scotians will have front-row seats to the world's largest gathering of tall ships this year as the province plays host to Tall Ships Challenge 2004 from July 29 to Aug. 2 .

Between 30 and 40 tall ships will be at the heart of the festivities on the Halifax waterfront. Among the ships will be at least six A-class vessels -- show-stoppers that can be up to 110 metres (360 feet) in length -- such as Poland's Iskra and Pogoria, Romania's Mircea, Britian's Tenacious, and Eagle from the United States. Some of Nova Scotia's own vessels are also participating, including Silva, Picton Castle, Caledonia and Bluenose II.

The tall ships' fourth visit to Nova Scotia is taking place during the World Acadian Congress and is specially themed "A Salute to l'Acadie". The Waterfront Development Corp. is hosting the event with many activities planned, paying special tribute to Acadian culture.

"The community -- including all levels of government, the private sector, volunteers and various groups -- has rallied together, providing the support and resources needed to welcome the tall ships back to our province," said Premier John Hamm. "As a result, Nova Scotia is hosting the largest event on this year's tall ships tour, and we are guaranteed that it will be a gathering not to be missed."

The five-day event will be Halifax's biggest celebration this summer. For this year only, the Grou Tyme Acadian Festival will take place over the weekend and will feature the Grou Tyme Village with world-class entertainers from Atlantic Canada, Louisiana, France and Quebec. Also included in the festivities will be the annual Natal Day celebration, highlighting the city's multicultural entertainers, as well as traditional East Coast artists.

"Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) has become a favourite stop for international tall ships events and as we've demonstrated in the past, we're up to the challenge," said HRM Mayor Peter Kelly. "Halifax was voted best port by race participants when we hosted the event in 1984 and 2000 -- and this year will be no different."

More information on Tall Ships Challenge 2004 - A Salute to l'Acadie will be available in the coming months on the CBC website, www.cbc.ca/tallships2004 , and the provincial government website at www.novascotia.com/tallships .