Victoria’s 32nd Annual Classic Boat Festival
August 14, 2009 by admin
Filed under Entertainment
The Inner Harbour will play host over the Labour Day Holiday weekend to Victoria’s 32nd Annual Classic Boat Festival, highlighting the 50th anniversary of the Black Ball Ferry’s – Coho service between Port Angeles, Washington and Victoria, British Columbia, and the 3rd Annual Classic Rowing Regatta.
Victoria, the capital city of Canada’s western-most province, British Columbia, reflects more than 150 years of maritime heritage, from sail-power, to steamships, not to mention engine-powered bulk-loading cargo vessels, communications and cable-laying ships to modern cruiseships.
This event, sponsored by the Greater Victoria Real Estate Board and Black Press, will welcome more than a hundred classic sail and power boats in Victoria’s Inner Harbour.
The festival will begin at noon on Friday, September 4 with the arrival of honorary Commodore Gordon Nickells aboard HMCS Oriole.
For those interested in capturing a glimpse of the "Classic Rowing Regatta" beginning at 10 am on Saturday, September 5, grab a comfortable spot at the starting point near the Gorge Narrows or the finish line at the Undersea Gardens in Victoria’s Inner Harbour (opposite the Legislature).
Saturday afternoon, visitors will be treated to a "Steam Boat Parade" at 2 pm in the Inner Harbour, followed by a Sunday, September 6 sailpast starting at 10:30 am.
So, whether you’re a sailor, a boat-builder, or a weekend water-lover, there will be plenty to do and see at this year’s festival including the official "Sailpast", "Schooner and Boat Races", and "Steamboat Parade" plus music every day coming from the "Blues Bash" being held at Ship’s Point in the Inner Harbour!
