Where and when you can see the ships at Tall Ships 2017
Stops for tall ships include Halifax area, Cape Breton and southwest Nova Scotia
The magnificent vessels participating in the Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta are visiting 10 ports in Nova Scotia and ending the trip with an Aug. 16 sailpast in the Annapolis Basin as the ships depart Annapolis Royal.
The ships began their Nova Scotia trip in Pictou, Pugwash and Port Hawkesbury between June 30 and July 2, but the bulk of their itinerary is coming up.
Halifax and Cape Breton visits
The next stop for the vessels is between July 29 and Aug. 1, when the ships will be moored on both sides of Halifax Harbour.
From there, the ships will sail to Cape Breton, where they will be in Sydney Harbour, St. Peter's and Louisbourg from Aug. 4 to 6. Events there will include free concerts, such as a fiddling ceremony with performers from across the island.
South Shore stops
The South Shore will serve as the home for the next two Nova Scotia stops, beginning with Lunenburg from Aug. 10 to 12.
That stop will include the 50th anniversary celebration of the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, as well as music that will include a special tribute to Jim Pittman, a fisherman from Lunenburg known as the Singing Cook who helped found the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival.
The Shelburne visit from Aug. 14 to 15 will temporarily get away from sea themes as a lumberjack show that includes axe throwing is put on by world champion logroller Darren Hudson.
Farewell to Nova Scotia
The tall ships then move on to Digby from Aug. 15 to 16 and there will be a culinary pavilion. Scallop-shucking demonstrations and tastings are being offered, accompanied by two days of music and arts showcases.
In Annapolis Royal, J.P. Cormier will perform a free open air evening concert on Aug. 16. Bluenose II will then lead a small fleet of tall ships past Annapolis Royal with a fantastic fireworks send-off as the tall ships say goodbye to Nova Scotia.