Pictou among tall ships visits next summer

People in Pictou County will have a chance to enjoy the majesty of tall ships in their home port next summer.

Premier Stephen McNeil announced the outport program for Rendez-Vous 2017 – Tall Ships Regatta Nova Scotia and one of the stops will be in Pictou, although the exact number and names of the ships stopping locally has yet to be determined.

Mayor Joe Hawes said they’ve always had a great response from tourists and local community members when they’ve had tall ships in port in the past and expects it will be a boon to the area to have them visit again.

“It’s always good news,” he said. “It generates a bit of wealth into the economy.”

The visit to Pictou is scheduled for between June 30 and July 2, 2017.

Hawes expects it would help Pictou businesses as well as tourist attractions such as the lobster hatchery and the Ship Hector.

“Tall ships will bring together Nova Scotians and visitors alike for a celebration of our past, present and future,” said McNeil. “They are an important economic boost for our province. This event is also an opportunity to showcase Nova Scotia to the world.

“Outport programs promote local food and wine, local performers and artisans and local businesses to the thousands of visitors who will visit Nova Scotia.”

Between late June and mid-August, tall ships will visit 11 ports around the province, including Lunenburg, Pictou, Sydney, St. Peter’s, Louisbourg, Pugwash, Port Hawkesbury, Halifax, Shelburne, Digby and end with an evening sail-past in Annapolis Basin, a first for Nova Scotia.

“Rendez-Vous 2017 is the culmination of a lot of hard work over a number years. We are thrilled that Nova Scotia is playing a key role by organizing roughly one-third of the Canadian ports for the program,” said Doug Prothero, chairman of Sail Training International. “The thousands of young people who will venture here will be moved by the hospitality, welcoming and knowledgeable ports along this magnificent part of the Canadian coastline.”

Thanks to a provincial government investment of $1.5 million, people from around the province will be able to see the ships, many of which will have sailed from the United Kingdom, Portugal, Bermuda, Boston and Quebec City, in addition to multiple outports across eastern Canada.

Tall ships will visit Canada to honour the 150th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation in 2017.