The City of Richmond released information on the Ships to Shore Festival for this Thursday through Saturday. The nautical event featuring breath-taking schooners, naval ships and classic west coast vessels takes place at Imperial Landing and Britannia Shipyards, National Historic Site.
The city notes:
Parking in Steveston is limited and some road closures will be in place on Canada Day. Festival goers are encouraged to take transit, cycle or walk to avoid traffic and parking congestion. Limited parking will be available around the event site. Parking by donation to the Britannia Heritage Shipyard Society is available in the Homma elementary school field on July 1, with access off of Westwater Drive.
A free shuttle service will also be offered on July 1 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. The shuttles will leave from the City’s Operations Yard, 5599 Lynas Lane, and will drop off/pick up passengers at Britannia Shipyards, 5180 Westwater Drive, near the Homma School field. Two shuttles will be running back and forth throughout the day with the last shuttle leaving Britannia Shipyards at 6:15 p.m.
Please note that the historic vessels at Ships to Shore have limited accessibility. In order to get on board, all visitors will be required to climb up and down stairs to the ships. High heels, strollers, skateboards, rollerblades, bicycles and non-service animals are not permitted on the floating docks. Mobility scooters and wheelchairs are allowed, but should be advised that ramps to the dock are often on a steep incline. Since tides affect the incline, the recommended time for wheelchairs to access the docks is from 4 – 6 p.m. Guests are encouraged to come prepared for hot weather during the festival. Stroller parking is available onsite.
Those who make their way to Ships to Shore can climb on board the tall ship Adventuress; learn the ropes on the oldest commissioned Canadian Navy ship, the HMCS Oriole; see boats with some serious west coast history; cruise through the harbour; adventure with pirates, and more. Over 15 vessels will be docked for free boarding and viewing from noon to 6:00 p.m. each day.
Other event activities include a Kid’s Cove presented by Tangerine, a parklet, a wooden boat display, free water shuttle rides, food trucks, demonstrations and more.
To celebrate Canada Day, a spectacular fireworks display will take place over the Steveston waterfront at 10:15 p.m. The fireworks are presented by Dueck Auto Group. There’ll be continuous live music on site both Friday and Saturday, with special bonus performances all the way up until fireworks time on Friday.
Ships to Shore Steveston is neighbour to another great free family festival on July 1. Follow the Chalk the Boardwalk art competition as a path to the site of “Canada’s biggest little birthday party,” the 70th annual Steveston Salmon Festival. This year’s popular free Canada Day celebration includes a parade, children’s festival, food fair, fabulous entertainment and the Salmon Festival’s signature salmon barbecue.
RE/MAX is the presenting sponsor for Ships to Shore Steveston 2016. Fireworks are presented by Dueck Auto Group. Dock sponsor is Steveston Harbour Authority. Kid’s Cove is presented by Tangerine. Community partners are Britannia Heritage Shipyard Society and the Steveston Community Society. Media Partners are CTV, QM/FM, and the Richmond News. Ships to Shore Steveston is produced by the City of Richmond and is part of Richmond Days of Summer.
For more details on Ships to Shore Steveston 2016, visit ShipsToShore.ca.
