Maritime Festival Set to Sail August 21-23
10 August 2009
What began as a small maritime celebration at Richmond’s Britannia Shipyard National Historic Site six years ago has now swelled into a three-day festival teeming with activities for the whole community. The sixth annual Maritime Festival, August 21 to 23 at the historic site in picturesque Steveston, will celebrate Richmond’s traditional connection to the sea with a classic wooden boat show, sea shanties, children’s maritime-themed activities and much more.
The Britannia Heritage Shipyard is an authentic representation of a once thriving community of canneries, boatyards, residences and stores. It contains the oldest shipyard buildings in British Columbia, with many of the buildings dating back to 1885, and was designated a National Historic Site in 1992 by the National Historic Sites and Monuments Board.
The festival features a variety of hands-on activities, displays and performances, such as nautical knotting, children’s model boat building, fish printing, and the Cargo Hockey Challenge. Port Metro Vancouver, RCMP Underwater Recovery Team, Gulf of Georgia Cannery, Richmond Carvers Society, Coast Guard Auxiliary and Sea Dragons Sea Scouts are just a few of the groups with displays.
Public will have the unique opportunity to row the ‘Juanita,’ a replica of an 18th century Spanish long boat, as well as view the many boats at the shipyard docks, including historic fishing vessels, classic power crafts and sail boats.
The musical performances are always a highlight of the festival and this year is no exception, with free shows by Copper Sky, Greg Meloche, 5 on a String, Calamity Jane and Mad Celts. Special guests Blackthorn are performing on Saturday, August 22 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets for this show only are $20 including refreshments, and can be purchased at the Britannia Gift Shop (open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), or by telephoning 604-276-4300.
Festival hours are: Friday, August 21, noon to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, August 22 and 23, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Britannia Shipyard National Historic Site is in historic Steveston, at 5180 Westwater Drive, a short stroll along the boardwalk from No. 1 Road and Bayview Street. The festival sponsors are Port Metro Vancouver, M & M Meats, the Richmond Review and CTV.
For more information about the Richmond Maritime Festival, call 604-718-8050, email britannia@richmond.ca or visit www.richmond.ca/britannia/.
