Tall Ships Nova Scotia program announced

Halifax - Fireworks, free public concerts, incredible food and music, historical animation and family friendly activities will highlight the shore-side program for the Tall Ships Nova Scotia event July 19-23 in Halifax.

In a press release, Colin MacLean, president and CEO, Waterfront Development said, "We are showcasing the best of Nova Scotia history, culture, music, cuisine and family programming throughout the Tall Ships event. With the amazing backdrop of the majestic Tall Ships, we are proud to show the best of who we are as a city, province and people." Andrew Cochran, managing director of CBC Maritimes, the cultural partner of the Tall Ships event said, "We'll have free concerts by some of Nova Scotia's finest musicians for jazz, blues, hip hop, folk and rock -- plus Kids' CBC events, and live broadcasts of Nova Scotians' favourite radio programs. Saturday night will feature the debut of the 2012 Overture, specially commissioned by the CBC for this event and performed by the Tall Ships' Orchestra, followed by the 1812 Overture performed as you've never heard it before in Halifax: complete with cannons, church bells, and fireworks. It, quite literally, will be a blast." Theodore Tugboat will also be on hand for family cruises providing educational and entertaining family programming on both sides of the Harbour on the Halifax and Dartmouth waterfronts. Parks Canada will present several programs at the wharves of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and on Citadel Hill. Dave Danskin, visitor experience manager with Parks Canada said, The War of 1812 was a turning point in Canada's History, and Parks Canada is proud to partner with Waterfront Development during the Tall Ships Festival to bring this history alive." Danskin says, "Visitors will have the chance step back in time to 1812 through a variety of interactive activities, such as working an 1812 naval gun deck, being 'press ganged' into the Royal Navy, trying on 1812 navy uniforms, boarding 1812 Tall Ships, taking in historical musical performances, and seeing 1812 soldiers in action." Following the five-day event in Halifax, the fleet will split and half of the ships will sail North for the Port Hawkesbury event, July 25-26, and then to Pictou and Pugwash July 28-29. The other half will sail south for the Lunenburg event July 25-26, and then on to Shelburne July 28-29.