Volunteers Behind Success of Tall Ships Festival
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT--Volunteers Behind Success of Tall Ships Festival
Tall Ships Challenge 2004 - A Salute to l'Acadie was a resounding success thanks to the more than 700 volunteers who helped make the event happen, Economic Development Minister Ernest Fage said today, Aug. 4.
The five-day festival in Halifax, which ended on Monday, Aug. 2 in a Parade of Sail, attracted more than 700,000 visitors to the waterfront. The tall ships festival continues over the next eight days, as a number of the vessels visit 10 other ports of call in Nova Scotia, and one in New Brunswick.
"The volunteers who made the tall ships festival possible are the heart and soul of these events and deserve the highest regard and recognition for their contribution to Nova Scotia," said Mr. Fage. "The province was proud to be involved in this spectacular event which pumped millions of dollars into the local economy and is such an important part of promoting Nova Scotia to the world."
Festival organizers expected the event to result in more than 750,000 visits to the region, and early estimates indicate targets have been met or exceeded. It is also estimated that spectators generated millions of dollars for Nova Scotia businesses. Detailed figures on the economic impact and total visitation are expected within the next few weeks.
"The success of Tall Ships 2004 is closely linked to the dedication of the volunteers who helped organize the event. We could never have done it without them," said Fred Were, president of the Waterfront Development Corporation, which presented the festival in co-operation with many community sponsors.
"Nova Scotia is known for its hospitality and friendliness and those qualities were very evident this past weekend in Halifax Regional Municipality through the hard work of the organizers and volunteers," said Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. "That same spirit will no doubt be evident as the tall ships continue their visit to other ports throughout the province."
The tall ships Porgoria, Iskra, Mircea and Tenacious will divide visits among Arichat, Port Hawkesbury and Sydney. The tall ships Fritha, Pride of Baltimore II, Grand Nellie, When and If, Gazela Philadelphia, Spirit of Massachusetts, Appledore V and Picton Castle will do the same in Lunenburg, Shelburne, the Pubnicos, Yarmouth, Digby, Meteghan and Saint John, N.B.
More information on the Post-Halifax Cruises can be found on the province's website at www.novascotia.com/tallships/posthfxcruises.htm .