Take a step into the past and the future as Ships to Shore 2015 sails into Steveston this Canada Day, highlighted by the return of the HMCS Oriole, a 31-metre (102 feet) tall ship.
One can also climb aboard the Steamship Virginia V and relive the turn of the 20th century; marvel at the modern engineering of the Canadian Coast Guard’s hovercraft, the Siyay; or meet the Silver Ann, a historic Steveston boat with a romantic past.
From June 29 to July 1, these are a few of more than 20 historic and working vessels that will be docked along the Steveston waterfront at Imperial Landing and Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site.
Also returning to the Ships to Shore fleet will be the crowd favourite Adventuress. This century-old, 41-metre schooner will be joined by her tall ship counterparts, the Maryke Violet, Spike Africa and SSS Odyssey. Also returning will be three of the Royal Canadian Navy’s Orca class patrol ships, which drew large crowds at last year’s event.
A fireworks presentation will cap-off Ships to Shore and our nation’s birthday. The show will take place over the Steveston Channel near Imperial Landing at 10:15 p.m. on July 1.
Ships to Shore Steveston is free and the event runs from noon to 7 p.m. daily. All the vessels will be available for free boarding throughout the festival. Ships to Shore Steveston will also include dragon boating demonstrations, Chalk the Boardwalk art competition, plenty of fantastic food trucks and a wooden boat display. For more details, visit www.richmond.ca/shipstoshore.
On Canada Day, Steveston Village is also a home to “Canada’s biggest little birthday party” as it comes alive with the 70th annual Steveston Salmon Festival.
For a full list of events, go to www.richmond.ca/discover/events/ShipstoShore
