Nova Scotia's Sailing Ambassador to Lead Parade

Nova Scotia's own Bluenose II will be leading the Parade of Sail during this summer's tall ships festival.

More than 40 ships are expected to take part in Tall Ships Challenge 2004 - A Salute to l'Acadie, July 29-Aug. 2 in Halifax. Eric Thomson, chair of the Waterfront Development Corporation, announced today, July 5, that the tall ships committee selected the provincial schooner to lead the Parade of Sail in Halifax Harbour on the final day. The parade will begin at 2 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 2.

"Nova Scotians should be very proud that their very own tall ship will be leading the way for so many impressive vessels," said Mr. Thomson. "Bluenose II was an obvious choice for the tall ships committee as it is one of Nova Scotia's most recognizable and valuable icons."

Bluenose II will be berthed at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic's wharf throughout the event. Like most ships, it will be open to the public from July 29 to Aug. 1, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., offering tours on board and opportunities to talk to crew members.

This year's Parade of Sail route has been altered from previous years. Ships will sail closer to the Dartmouth shore as they proceed north to round the reviewing ship HMCS Athabaskan.

Vessels from the U.S., Mexico, Romania, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the Cook Islands, Poland and Canada will be berthed along the waterfront, from Tall Ships Quay to Casino Nova Scotia Hotel. The five-day event is expected to draw more than 700,000 people to the Halifax waterfront.

Tall Ships Challenge 2004 will be Halifax's biggest celebration this summer, with the Grou Tyme Acadian Festival taking place over the weekend, featuring world-class entertainers from Atlantic Canada, Louisiana, France and Quebec. The full lineup of entertainers and schedule of events is available at www.groutyme.com . Also included in the festivities will be the annual Natal Day celebrations, highlighting the city's multicultural entertainers and traditional East Coast artists.

For full details on the Tall Ships Challenge 2004, visit the websites at www.novascotia.com/tallships and www.cbc.ca/tallships2004 .

Tall Ships Challenge 2004 -- A Salute to l'Acadie is presented by the Waterfront Development Corporation. The event is sponsored by the province, Halifax Regional Municipality, Grou Tyme Acadian Festival, Aliant, Atlantic Lottery Corporation, Alexander Keith's, Sobeys, Ford, Casino Nova Scotia, Captain Morgan, The Chronicle Herald, McCain, Pepsi, Trade Centre Limited, CanJet, Halifax Port Authority, Atlantic Photo Supply, Peller Estates, Bishop's Landing and Ombrelle. CBC is also a sponsor and the host broadcaster of the event.