Countdown to Tall Ships
It is just a little more than a week until the Tall Ships Challenge Atlantic fleet arrives at the finish line in historic Halifax Harbour on Thursday, July 19, to kick off a five-day festival in the city.
"We have developed an incredible shore-side program that highlights our culture through music, food, and our history through interpretation and animation," said Waterfront Development's president and CEO Colin MacLean. "We believe Nova Scotians and visitors will have an authentic, high-quality experience that showcases the best of who we are as a province."
The ships are open to the public Thursday from noon to 5 p.m., and Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ships will remain open in light rain and reasonably inclement weather. The ships will break lines on Monday for the traditional Parade of Sail at noon, out of Halifax harbour to outports across Nova Scotia.
Day boarding passes are on sale for $5, including tax, for admission to all ships. Children younger than 12, accompanied by a parent or guardian, can board for free.
People are encouraged to pre-purchase passes at www.my-waterfront.ca/tallships to reduce on-site lineups. People who purchase tickets in advance, can take their printed ticket, or proof of purchase on a mobile device, to any of the ships, where the ticket will be scanned. People will then receive a bracelet that will enable them to board all of the ships for that day.
The Kidz Zone on the Halifax and Dartmouth waterfronts will be connected by cruises on Theodore Tugboat. Cruises cost $2, including tax, each way.
The more than 400 Tall Ships Ambassadors volunteers, in blue Tall Ships Shirts and Hats, will provide directions, event information, assistance with lost children and access to first aid.
Although no street closures are planned, parking will be limited. Visitors are encouraged to use public transit. Schedule details are available at www.halifax.ca/metrotransit/ .
The Taste of Nova Scotia Food Fare by the Sea at the Sands at Salter, featuring celebrity chefs such as Chuck Hughes and Anna Olson, local vendors and produce, and Nova Scotia's incredible seafood and wines will be open daily at 11 a.m. Entry is free.
Parks Canada will provide historic links to the War of 1812 with an on-site kiosk, daily walking tours, free shuttle bus to the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site and their 1812 Soldiers in Action, who will perform drills and marches.
On Sunday night, the Halifax Citadel War of 1812 Sunset Ceremony, an evening tattoo featuring military music, battle demonstrations will take place. This is a unique opportunity to see history come alive in music, animation and interpretation. Tickets are $18.12 for adults and $5 for children.
The Georges Island Tall Ships Experience will allow the public to explore Georges Island on their own, and through costumed interpreters offering guided tours of the tunnels. Tickets for the Sunday event can be purchased at www.my-waterfront.ca.
There will be fireworks displays nightly, beginning at 9:20 p.m., except on Sunday, which will start closer to 10 p.m.
Each day will also feature live entertainment at the CBC Pavilion, and on Saturday a feature event will be the Tall Ships Orchestra, with special guests Old Man Luedecke, Rose Cousins and David Myles. Tickets are $35 (taxes included) and available at www.my-waterfront.ca/tallships. After the orchestra there will be a free concert with In-Flight Safety.
Each evening after the fireworks the Arr Fresco filmFesto will feature pirate movies on the Halifax Waterfront.
Lennie Gallant will perform a free public concert on Friday, July 20 at 2 p.m. at the Summit Amphitheatre on the Halifax Waterfront.
For details and a complete list of events, visit http://my-waterfront.ca/tallships/tall-ship-event-schedule. To buy tickets for events, visit www.my-waterfront.ca/tallships.
Visitors are encouraged to follow the festival on Monday, July 23, as the fleet will split and sail to Lunenburg and Shelburne, and north to Port Hawkesbury, Pictou and Pugwash. The 10-day provincial festival concludes on Sunday, July 29.