Nova Scotia is the official finish line for the Tall Ships Challenge 2012,  that will see over a dozen sailing ships race from Savannah, Georgia to Halifax, Nova Scotia. This summer is your opportunity to experience the Age of Sail in Nova Scotia!

Nova Scotia has a history shaped by the sea. Not only have its people made a living on it but, for much of its history, the sea was Nova Scotia’s primary connection to the world. It’s the reason the province has such a long and proud shipbuilding heritage, with Nova Scotian shipbuilders creating some of the most impressive ships ever designed. In the mid-19th century, Nova Scotia’s harbours were alive with ships under sail, while its docks bristled with forests of tall masts and echoed with the creaking of wood hulls.

Tall Ships Festival in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Dates and Location

The Tall Ships, arriving in Halifax the week of July 19, 2012,  will sail up the harbour and dock all along the Halifax waterfront. The ships will be open to visitors throughout the week, during which you can stroll their decks, meet the crew and simply admire their beauty. Among the ships will be the US Coast Guard’s Barque Eagle and the HMS Bounty – a faithful replica of her namesake which also appeared in the film Pirates of the Caribbean II. 

Commemoration of the War of 1812

This year is also the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 and, as part of the Tall Ships Festival, commemorative events will take place all along the Halifax waterfront: 

• Animators dressed as soldiers and sailors from the period and encampments
• Re-enactments of military life as it was in 1812
• Buskers and vendors all along the Halifax boardwalk

Parade of Sail

The highlight of the Tall Ships 2012 festival is the spectacular Parade of Sail. With their sails unfurled, crews perched in the rigging, and their bells ringing, the ships will sail up and down the harbour, salute Nova Scotia’s Lieutenant Governor and head back out to sea. 

After leaving Halifax, the Tall Ships will head to other ports in the province:

• One group of ships will sail along the Eastern Shore to Cape Breton, docking in Port Hawkesbury July 28-29. 
• Another group will sail the South Shore of the province, staying in Lunenburg July 25-26 and Shelburne July 28-29. 
• The final group will visit ports on the North Shore, including Pugwash and Pictou on July 28-29.

For more information on the Tall Ships, including dates and local events, visit http://my-waterfront.ca/.