Bluenose II Relaunch Fast Approaching

Celebrated Atlantic Canadian singer-songwriter Lennie Gallant will join performers including Alan Doyle, Laura Smith and Matt Mays at the Bluenose II relaunch celebration on Saturday, Sept. 29, in Lunenburg.

"It is amazing to have so many talented Canadian artists to help us celebrate this historic event," said Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Leonard Preyra. "The Bluenose II relaunch is a once-in-a-lifetime event that families from Lunenburg and communities across the province will surely remember."

The official Bluenose II relaunch will begin at 7 a.m. to take advantage of high morning tides. The Bluenose II will be winched out, link by link, into the water. A video of what the relaunch will look like can be viewed at bluenose.novascotia.ca/drydock-video . The public is encouraged to arrive early and to bring a lawnchair.

"Before the Bluenose II can officially relaunch on Sept. 29, it will partially enter the water to be tested for hull integrity," said Mr. Preyra. "We want to make sure that Nova Scotians understand that the tests taking place throughout the week are not the official relaunch."

The day-long festivities will continue after the relaunch with three fantastic stages of local and Atlantic Canadian talent. The family stage at the Zwicker wharf will feature entertainers Donna and Andy Razzmatazz and Makayla from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The afternoon main stage will feature local entertainers, Glimpses and Collage, from 1 p.m.–4 p.m. outside the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic.

Lunenburg County's Tom Gallant will host a fabulous evening of music and storytelling from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., featuring John Gracie, Catherine MacKinnon and Michael Stanbury, who wrote The Bluenose Song and performed at the Bluenose ll original launch.

The Bridgewater Fire Department Band will be part of the finale, which will end with a spectacular burst of fireworks.

The event will proceed rain or shine. However, it would be rescheduled for a major weather disturbance.

Organizers are asking people to be a bluenoser on Bluenose II relaunch day by turning their noses blue.

For more information, go to bluenose.novascotia.ca .