New Maritime Heritage Festival Launches in September

Cutting-edge innovation, historic ships and traditional sea shanties are coming together in a new celebration of the province’s ocean connections this September.

The Maritime Heritage Festival launches on the Halifax waterfront September 12-14, featuring hands-on programming for all ages, ship tours and live music.

“The Maritime Heritage Festival brings together the past, present and future of our relationship with the sea,” said Dave Ritcey, Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage. “It’s a celebration of Nova Scotia’s unique coastal identity and an invitation to explore and get involved in our vibrant ocean and maritime sectors.”

Highlights of the free event include activities aboard CSS Acadia and HMCS Sackville, pop-up exhibitions from the Nova Scotia Museum and Bluenose II, ocean and naval presentations, and live musical performances.

The Maritime Heritage Festival is organized by the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic with key support from the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust and Build Nova Scotia.

Quotes:

“The Maritime Heritage Festival is a free, family-friendly celebration of how the sea continues to shape Nova Scotia – through deep traditions and bold innovations. We’re proud to work with diverse partners to honour our maritime roots and inspire future generations to build their own connection to the ocean.”
— Kim Reinhardt, Manager, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

“Being part of the Maritime Heritage Festival means our visitors can enjoy the energy of the waterfront while connecting with a piece of naval history that’s still here, still standing and still telling its story. We look forward to welcoming visitors to the HMCS Sackville.”
— Rick Emberley, Executive Director, Canadian Naval Memorial Trust

Quick Facts:

• there are more than 20 partners participating in the festival, including the Centre for Ocean Ventures & Entrepreneurship (COVE), Nova Scotia Museum, Canadian Naval Memorial Trust, Sea Turtle Network, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Sea Cadet program, Lunenburg Marine Museum Society (operator of the Bluenose II), the Naval Museum of Halifax, Mermaids of Halifax, Back to the Sea, Canadian Global Network, Nova Scotia Sea School, Stadacona Band, Drummers From Home, Yarmouth Shantymen, Canada’s Immigration Museum at Pier 21, Parks Canada, Ocean Tracking Network, Shearwater Aviation Museum, Halifax Newcomer Choir, Build Nova Scotia and Fisheries and Oceans Canada
• the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is Canada’s oldest and largest maritime museum
• CSS Acadia is the only surviving ship to have served the Royal Canadian Navy during both world wars
• HMCS Sackville, which served in the Battle of the Atlantic in the Second World War, is the last surviving Flower-class Corvette

Additional Resources:

Maritime Heritage Festival website: https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/event/maritime-heritage-festival

Maritime Heritage Festival Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1070854484736402

Maritime Museum of the Atlantic: https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca