For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Victoria Classic Boat Festival will return to the Inner Harbour this Labour Day Weekend.
From September 2-4, vessels of a classic design, both new and old, power and sail, will gather in Victoria’s Inner Harbour to be put on display for the public.
This year will mark the 43rd time the festival has been held in Victoria and the first time since 2019.
Vessels attend the Classic Boat Festival from all over the Pacific Northwest and beyond to moor in the Inner Harbour. Organizers of the event say that approximately 10,000 visitors tour the dock each year at the festival and many of the boat owners offer tours of their classic vessels.
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William Noon, Festival Chair, noted that “the Pacific Northwest is blessed with an enormous number of traditional boats – from sailboats to workboats, to cruisers. The Festival began in 1977 with the idea that our maritime heritage must not only be preserved but also celebrated. The Festival’s open docks, events, and activities serve to engage our community and visitors on our maritime history, culture, and its ongoing story.”
During the weekend, the boats will participate in a “sail past” and race. Spectators will be able to watch the parade of ships and races from the Victoria Waterfront with more details being released closer to the Labour Day Weekend.
The event is hosted by the Maritime Museum of BC, which says that registration for boaters is now open. Registration is open to vessels of Classic design and Traditional construction, while unique vessels of maritime interest are considered by invitation only.
Access to the event for the public is by donation.
Graham Cox
