ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT CORP.--Province Invests $1 million in Tall Ships Festival

The province is investing $1 million into the Tall Ships Nova Scotia Festival 2009. The event will be the largest Tall Ships gathering in North America in a decade. Between 50 to 70 ships from 30 countries and up to one million visitors are expected.

"Next July, we will proudly welcome an international fleet to ports right across the province," said Economic Development Minister Angus MacIsaac. "All Nova Scotians benefit from events like the Tall Ships through job creation and the increased number of visitors to our province."

The Tall Ships Nova Scotia Festival 2007 generated $27.5 million in economic benefits for the province. The 2009 gathering is expected to generate an estimated $42 million in incremental economic spending.

The American Bus Association has named the Tall Ships festival the number one Canadian destination in its annual list of Top 100 Events in North America. The association's selection committee chose this festival from among hundreds of events in the United States and Canada nominated by state and provincial tourism offices and convention and visitors bureaus.

"With support from the province, our sponsors and volunteers, Tall Ships Nova Scotia Festival 2009 is set to be an extraordinary international event," said Waterfront Development Corporation Limited (WDCL) president Colin MacLean. "Recognition from groups like the American Bus Association will only raise the profile and attraction opportunities as we move forward."

Led by the WDCL, the festival takes place in Halifax Harbour from July 16 to 20. A number of ships will then set out across the province to Lunenburg, Shelburne, Pictou, Port Hawkesbury, Louisbourg and Sydney as part of the outports program.

The festival is part of an international race series that circles the North Atlantic Ocean and is organized by Sail Training International and American Sail Training Association. It will see some of the world's most majestic Class A Tall Ships including Canada's own Bluenose II, along with Captain Miranda (Uruguay), Europa (The Netherlands), and Mystic (United States) take centre stage in Halifax along with an array of Class B and C ships, each with their own story and experience.

A highlight is the Parade of Sail on July 20, when many of the ships begin the final leg of the race to Belfast, Northern Ireland.

A naval theme is especially significant for 2009 marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Navy dockyard in Halifax. Five-metre longboats, complete with animators and sailors, will row in formation. They will also transfer naval-significant items from the old world to the new recognizing those historic years.

The festival will also kick off the 2010 Canadian Naval Centennial, celebrating 100 years of the Canadian Navy.

The American Bus Association Top 100 Events list is available online at www.buses.org. For more information, visit www.tallshipsnovascotia.com .