Spectacular Program for Tall Ships Announced
Fireworks, free public concerts, incredible food and music, historical animation and family friendly activities will highlight the shoreside program for the Tall Ships Nova Scotia event July 19-23 in Halifax.
"We are showcasing the best of Nova Scotia history, culture, music, cuisine and family programming throughout the Tall Ships event," said Colin MacLean, president and CEO, Waterfront Development. "With the amazing backdrop of the majestic Tall Ships, we are proud to show the best of who we are as a city, province and people."
Ships will be open to the public for boarding Thursday, July 19, through Sunday, July 22. The cost to board the ships is $5 per day for adults. Children under 12 are free with an adult to accompany them. The Parade of Sail will be Monday, July 23 at noon, and there will be fireworks Thursday through Sunday nights, presented by Atlantic Lottery Corporation.
Nova Scotia's premier restaurant and food and beverage producers will be in the Taste of Nova Scotia Pavilion at the Sands at Salter, Halifax waterfront. The Catch Seafood Culinary Stage will feature cooking and product demonstrations, and celebrity chefs including Chuck Hughes and Anna Olson.
CBC, the cultural partner of the Tall Ships event, will be broadcasting live from the CBC Pavilion on the Halifax waterfront throughout the event.
Andrew Cochran, managing director of CBC Maritimes said the pavilion will be presenting the sounds of Nova Scotia throughout Tall Ships 2012.
"We'll have free concerts by some of Nova Scotia's finest musicians for jazz, blues, hip hop, folk and rock -- plus Kids' CBC events, and live broadcasts of Nova Scotians' favourite radio programs," said Mr. Cochran. "Saturday night will feature the debut of the 2012 Overture, specially commissioned by the CBC for this event and performed by the Tall Ships' Orchestra, followed by the 1812 Overture performed as you've never heard it before in Halifax: complete with cannons, church bells, and fireworks. It, quite literally, will be a blast."
Parks Canada will present programming at the wharves of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and on Citadel Hill.
"The War of 1812 was a turning point in Canada's History, and Parks Canada is proud to partner with Waterfront Development during the Tall Ships Festival to bring this history alive," said Dave Danskin, visitor experience manager with Parks Canada.
"Visitors will have the chance step back in time to 1812 through a variety of interactive activities, such as working an 1812 naval gun deck, being 'press ganged' into the Royal Navy, trying on 1812 navy uniforms, boarding 1812 Tall Ships, taking in historical musical performances, and seeing 1812 soldiers in action."
On Sunday, July 22, Georges Island will be open to the public to explore the 400-year-old island, with guided tours starting at 9 a.m. In the evening, Parks Canada will host the Sunset Ceremony at Citadel Hill at 8 p.m., which promises an incredible evening of historical and military entertainment.
Families can also take a cruise on Theodore Tugboat to enjoy educational and entertaining family programming on both sides of the Harbour on the Halifax and Dartmouth waterfronts.
All event details will be on the Waterfront Development website www.my-waterfront.ca and tickets will be available for purchase Friday, June 29.
Following the five-day event in Halifax, the fleet will split and half of the ships will sail North for the Port Hawkesbury event, July 25-26, and then to Pictou and Pugwash July 28-29. The other half will sail south for the Lunenburg event July 25-26, and then on to Shelburne July 28-29.
Waterfront Development is a provincial Crown corporation that is committed to developing the strategic potential of four waterfronts in Bedford, Dartmouth, Halifax, and in Lunenburg, in partnership with the Lunenburg Waterfront Association. The corporation fosters the creation of waterfronts that drive economic opportunity, enhance tourism, and provides experiences that reflect and protect our marine heritage.