The Brockville Tall Ships® Festival Committee is proud to announce that Brockville will be host to the historical Canadian icon, Bluenose II, during the 2019 festival taking place August 30 to September 1, 2019. Blockhouse Island Parkway, Centeen Park, and Hardy Park will be transformed by the majestic Tall Ships and Classic Boats beautifying Brockville’s waterfront and harbour.

That exciting news was part of a provincial funding announcement by Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark on behalf of the Hon. Michael Tibollo, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. MPP Clark announced the provincial government is supporting the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE ONTARIO Tour with $525,000 through the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund and Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster Fund. Brockville’s Tall Ships Festival is one of five ports that are participating in the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE ONTARIO. Other ports include Toronto, Sarnia, Midland and Kingsville.

“I’m pleased that our government is supporting the Brockville Tall Ships Festival and the great work being done by the local volunteer organizing committee,” said MPP Clark. “Brockville has a well-earned reputation as an outstanding port of call and I’m so excited that the iconic Bluenose II is among the tall ships we’ll be welcoming. Bringing thousands of visitors to the city for next year’s festival will provide a tremendous boost to our region’s economy.”

“Ontario is open for business, and wherever this fleet of Tall Ships goes, tourists follow, strengthening local economies and creating jobs,” said Minister Tibollo. “I am thrilled that our government is supporting the tour. As we develop our government’s new tourism strategy, we look to events like this that confirm Ontario’s status as a destination of choice and demonstrate the economic potential of tourism.”

The local committee which is led by volunteers has been planning this event for several months now.

“I had to pinch myself when I found out for sure that the Bluenose II was coming. This could be a once in a lifetime opportunity to have Canada’s most famous Tall Ship right here in our own backyard.” says Committee Chair, Brian Burns.

In Brockville, the Bluenose II will be joined by the Empire Sandy, local sailing vessels the Fair Jeanne and the Black Jack, the Canadian Coast Guard, and a display of antique boats. Committee organizers are in final negotiations with other tall ships as well as the Canadian Navy ship The Oriole. Ships will be announced to the public as they are confirmed.

The festival is already receiving community support and is pleased to announce that Procter & Gamble will once again be the festival’s title sponsor which includes naming rights to the festival. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available to businesses and individuals who are interested in helping to make this festival another great success for Brockville.

The Brockville Tall Ships® Festival – Presented by Procter & Gamble will offer tall ship deck tours to the public for Festival Passport holders. Tickets for sail outs and dinner cruises will also be available for purchase. On land, visitors will have access to a wide variety of additional entertainment which includes Canada’s Oldest Railway Tunnel with the nearby Red Hot & Blue Rockabilly Festival; Canada’s most famous Pirate ‘CAPTAIN TOR’ from Brockville, who has just finished a European tour; Reenactor Encampments; ‘Touch a Horse’ display by the Leeds County Draft Horse Club; Children’s Zone; as well as other interesting displays and vendors.  Further programming details will be released in the months leading up to the festival.

New for 2019 will be a chance to enjoy Friday’s Parade of Sail on board a tall ship with the purchase of a ticket. Another exciting option will be to participate in an ‘after-hours reception’ that will include deck tours for the Bluenose II and at least one other tall ship.

Tickets will go on sale in early December of 2018. (UPDATE: Tickets are now on sale at www.tallshipsbrockville.com/tickets)

For details and updates visit www.tallshipsbrockville.com