Countdown to Host Largest Gathering of Tall Ships in a Decade
The largest gathering of Tall Ships in North America next year will sail into Nova Scotia ports July 16–26 for the Tall Ships Nova Scotia Festival 2009.
"The Tall Ships Festival is the kind of major event that has a significant impact on tourism to the province, not to mention the multi-million dollar economic impact for businesses throughout Nova Scotia," said Tourism, Culture and Heritage Minister Bill Dooks. "The province looks forward to welcoming visitors from around the world to our vibrant waterfronts and to experience our maritime culture firsthand."
Tall Ships Nova Scotia Festival 2009 is part of an international race series that circles the North Atlantic Ocean. Sail Training International with the American Sail Training Association organizes it. The gathering of world-class tall ships will begin with a five-day event in Halifax, July 16-20, with the Parade of Sail on Monday, July 20.
Designated ships will then head to Sydney, Port Hawkesbury, Pictou, Lunenburg, Shelburne and Yarmouth.
"Tall Ships showcases our province, our waterfronts and our people," said Eric Thomson, chair of Waterfront Development Corporation Ltd. (WDCL). "WDCL is proud to produce the Tall Ships Nova Scotia Festival 2009, and I encourage everyone to bring family and friends home and plan next year's summer vacation now, to experience the largest gathering of tall ships in a decade."
Tall ships participating in the challenge will race more than 7,000 nautical miles in the North Atlantic. The race starts in Vigo, Spain, and ships will sail to Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Bermuda, Charleston, Boston and then Halifax. Halifax will be the start of the final race on Monday, July 20, as participating tall ships head east across the North Atlantic to Belfast, Ireland.
Tall ships from the United States, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Belgium, Spain, United Kingdom, and the Netherlands have said they will participate in the challenge.
"Captains and crews from all over the world love to visit Nova Scotia for its warm hospitality and maritime traditions," said WDCL president Colin MacLean. "Halifax Harbour is going to be alive with entertainment and activities for all ages to enjoy."
Tall Ships Nova Scotia Festival 2009 will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Navy dockyard at in Halifax in 1759. A flotilla of longboats will row in formation up Halifax Harbour to a designated landing and a senior officer will present a symbol of the Navy's heritage, to the modern Navy on Saturday, July 18.
Tall Ships Nova Scotia 2009 will also kick-off the 2010 Canadian Naval Centennial, celebrating 100 years of the Canadian Navy. The aim of the Canadian Naval Centennial is to build and strengthen an appreciation in Canadians for their navy and to promote the role of the navy within the Canadian Forces.
The corporate community has jumped onboard for this premier event with commitments from the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation, C100, CTV, the Chronicle Herald, Avis, Coca-Cola, Alexander Keith’s, Casino Nova Scotia, and Wade Atlantic. Many more exciting partnerships will be announced in the coming months.
Detailed entertainment and activities will be announced at a later date.
Volunteer applications are now being accepted for the tall ships event. Volunteers will be required for marine security, volunteer services, crew games, media relations, office administration, ticket checkers and more. Among the benefits are access to ships and parties. Applications can be submitted online at www.tallshipsnovascotia.com .
For more information on Tall Ships Nova Scotia 2009, visit www.tallshipsnovascotia.com .