Tall Ships to Showcase the Best of Nova Scotia

The best of Nova Scotian food, entertainment, heritage and history will be featured along the waterfronts and wharves for the Tall Ships event this summer.

"Waterfront Development has involved an incredible group of partners to create an amazing program that will showcase the best of who we are as a people, and a province," said Colin MacLean, president and CEO, Waterfront Development Corp. "This Tall Ships event is the perfect opportunity to invite friends and family home to celebrate this summer."

CBC is a partner of the Tall Ships event, and will provide a memorable entertainment program, as well as being a media partner.

"CBC is delighted to be involved in Tall Ships Nova Scotia 2012," said Andrew Cochran, managing director of CBC Maritimes. "We are very excited to be on board for what promises to be a spectacular event for Nova Scotia. At Thursday's launch, and throughout the coming weeks, we will unveil what we plan to produce on all three of our platforms -- radio, television and online.

"We hope everyone will join us at the CBC Pavilion on the Halifax waterfront, which promises to be a centre of activity during the Tall Ships festival."

Taste of Nova Scotia is co-ordinating a culinary pavilion on the Sands at Salter for people to savour some of Nova Scotia's finest flavours.

"With lobster rolls, gourmet burgers, fresh seafood, wine and other local beverages, we are committed to providing a quality Nova Scotia culinary experience for visitors and residents during the Tall Ships Festival," said Janice Ruddock, executive director of Taste of Nova Scotia. "Our pavilion will feature local cuisine, culinary artisans and celebrity chef demonstrations … We are passionate and proud of our local culinary industry and we are excited to show the world what we have here in Nova Scotia."

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, and Parks Canada is partnering to commemorate the significant time in history.

"Parks Canada is privileged to work with Waterfront Development to bring an important era of Canadian history to life during the Tall Ships Festival this July," said Dave Danskin, visitor experience manager for the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site. "Parks Canada will offer the many visitors to the festival a glimpse of life in this city during the War of 1812 through interactive re-enactments, story-telling, music and military spectacles along the waterfront, and at the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site."

The Tall Ships event will take place in Halifax July 19-23. The ships will then sail to Lunenburg (July 25-27) Shelburne (July 28-29), Port Hawkesbury (July 25-27), Pictou (July 28-29) and Pugwash (July 28-29).

The Tall Ships Nova Scotia event is the last leg of the Tall Ships Challenge, Atlantic Coast series, co-coordinated by Tall Ships America. Tall Ships America is a nonprofit organization focused on youth education, leadership development and preserving the maritime heritage of North America.

The race began in Savannah, Ga., on May 7. The next stop is Greenport, N.Y. on May 24, followed by Newport, R.I., July 6–9.

Waterfront Development also launched a Facebook contest today to win The Ultimate Tall Ships Adventure, a chance for the winner to bring friends and family home to Nova Scotia this summer. Links to the Facebook contest, and program information, can be found at www.my-waterfront.ca .