The largest gathering of Tall Ships to dock in the Port of Halifax in many years has begun to arrive.
Halifax is the penultimate port of the Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta – an epic Transatlantic race of 10,000 nautical miles – 7,000 nautical miles already sailed to Halifax. The race started at the port of Royal Greenwich in Great Britain on April 13 and finishes in the port of Le Havre, France at the end of August.
Since late June, the Tall Ships have been visiting Canadian ports as part of the Guest Port Program to honour the 150th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation.
This weekend, the ships drop anchor in Halifax, Nova Scotia for the last portion of the Regatta and the staging port for the final leg of the race.
HALIFAX VESSEL FACTS
- 25 ships
- 10 different nationalities: Bermuda, Canada, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom, United States and Vanuatu.
- 1025 trainees and crew
- 7 Canadian vessels
- 11 vessels racing across the Atlantic
- 4 vessels have sailed in the whole event
“Halifax has long been an anticipated and memorable stop for Tall Ship crews because of its historic and world renowned hospitality culminating with the iconic parade of sail.
“The Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta is all about celebrating Canada 150 and it’s also the largest event ever organised by Sail Training International. We have a habit of coming to Halifax roughly every ten years – every time we do an Transatlantic series. We come back for the amazing sea coast and Halifax itself, wonderful people and great hospitality.
“This year alone our events will see over 12 million spectators at Sail Training International events. For a port the benefits are clear – this is a massive economic development opportunity, we fill the shops and hotels with tourists, we try to leave room in the pubs for the tourists but tend to fill the pubs as well.
“We’re privileged to know that certain host ports embrace the ethos of what we do. These ships are amazing to look at that’s true; I can say from experience they are amazing to sail on and they survive by delivering life changing sail training experiences at sea. Halifax understands this completely – we count them as one of the best host port mission partners that we have in sail training.”
Doug Prothero, Chairman of Sail Training International and Chairman of the Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta
“We are so excited to kick off the Halifax portion of this great event. Our place by the sea gives the world a reason to know us, to do business with us and to visit us. There’s no doubt that the ocean has shaped us as a people and our waterfronts remains important centres of commerce and of celebration in our community. Tall Ships events remind us of our seafaring past and celebrate a promising future that is also very much tied to the sea. Welcome to Nova Scotia! And to those of you whose voyage continues beyond our shores, fair winds and following seas.”
Jennifer Angel, Acting President & CEO, Waterfront Development
“On behalf of the Province of Nova Scotia, I extend a warm welcome to the sailors and visitors from around the world who have come to our shores to celebrate the Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta. The Tall Ships are a signature event for our province and area returning as part of the Canada 150 celebrations. Nova Scotia’s rich Maritime culture, history and hospitality will be on display as the Tall Ships serve as a backdrop in eleven ports across the province. I am proud that Halifax will play a significant role in Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta as the official starting point for the final leg of the race back to France.”
Honourable Stephen McNeil, M.L.A, Premier
So – what’s on in Halifax?
The weekend will feature an abundance of public programing, including:
- The CBC Entertainment Pavilion – with marquee entertainment including Natalie MacMaster and Symphony Nova Scotia;
- Taste of Nova Scotia’s Food Fare by the Sea— a celebration of food, drink, chefs, music and world-class seafood;
- Parks Canada programming – including the Parks Canada Plaza where visitors can interact with costumed interpreters and watch cannon and rifle demonstrations;
- Picnic in the Parade – a community picnic in the Grand Parade (1790 Argyle St.) in support of Feed Nova Scotia, Monday, July 31, 8 to 10 a.m.
- The ‘Blue Wave’ – Dalhousie University is inviting visitors to wear blue as they wave farewell to the Tall Ships fleet during the Parade of Sail Aug. 1.
- Fireworks – three consecutive nights of fireworks over Halifax harbour Saturday, Sunday and Monday night at 10 p.m.
For a complete list of Halifax events, please visit http://rdv2017ns.com/the-event-schedule/?port=halifax.
Photo: Anchors ready in Halifax. Valery Vasilevskiy.
