Landlubbers will get the chance to board 22 magnificent ships from around the world starting today when the Tall Ships Festival gets underway in Halifax Harbour.

This year’s festival commemorates the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 and the fleet of ships from around the world was specially selected to reflect the important historic event.

“We’ve been able to recruit ships that are highly commemorative of the War of 1812. A lot of them are privateer type vessels, the ones that would have been sailing at that time,” Colin MacLean, president and CEO of Waterfront Development Corporation, told the Rick Howe Show Wednesday.

“We’re going to celebrate the 200 years of peace that followed that battle, but I’m sure there’ll be some friendly jibes back and forth,” said MacLean.


Day boarding passes are on sale for $5 for admission to all ships. Children under 12 years old are free. People are encouraged to pre-purchase passes to reduce on-site lineups.

Events will include free concerts daily at the entertainment pavilion. Lennie Gallant will perform a free concert at the Summit Amphitheatre Friday at 2 p.m. The Tall Ships Orchestra, with Old Man Luedecke, Rose Cousins and David Myles will perform Saturday.

Each night there will be firework displays following the Al Fresco Film Festo’s “Arr Fresco” presentations of nautical or sailing movies.

The Taste of Nova Scotia Food Fare by the Sea, near Bishop’s Landing, will feature celebrity chefs Chuck Hughes and Anna Olson as well as local vendors.

Halifax Citadel Hill will be holding the Halifax Citadel War of 1812 Sunset Ceremony featuring tattoo military music and battle demonstrations. Tickets are $18.12, children are $5.

Parks Canada is taking an active role to ensure the history of the occasion is represented. There will be daily walking tours, military drills and marches on Citadel Hill. George’s Island is being opened to the public for a special one-day event on Sunday.

To get around town, the Downtown Halifax Business Commission is providing the Big Blue Bus, a free shuttle, through the downtown from July 19-23. The shuttle will operate on a 30-minute loop, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday to Sunday and until 3 p.m. Monday, with seven stops in the downtown.


Metro Transit has also made several changes to it schedule during the festival. This includes the Tall Ships Special No. 84 bus route from Sackville to Barrington and Duke at MetroLink stop, every 30 minutes.


Halifax Regional Police are warning motorists that traffic will be heavy during the festival and that parking will be at a premium. Motorists are advised to expect delays and that police will be monitoring parking.