The 38th Annual Victoria Classic Boat Festival sponsored by Canoe Cove Marina and Boat Yard in the Inner Harbour
A Recognition of Excellence
In addition to serving as a celebratory gathering, the festival serves the development of the classic boat community by offering an optional judging service. Festival’s judges, each an expert in their field, stand by to meticulously inspect participant’s vessels, offering guidance and suggestions to those owners dedicated to the correct restoration of their vessels. Many boats return improved each year until they reach the pinnacle of their restoration and are recognized at the awards dinner that caps each year’s festival. In this way the festival contributes in a very tangible way to the health of our classic boat community.
Sponsorship
The festival is made possible through the generosity of Canoe Cove Marina and Boatyard, the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, under the umbrella of The Maritime Museum of British Columbia.
The Festival’s Story
In the fall of 1977, a group led by Bob Leach of the Sidney Gaffers and Keith Cameron of the Maritime Museum of BC planned to commemorate Captain Cook’s bicentenary by building a replica of the first European ship to be built in the Pacific Northwest, John Mears’ Northwest America. a request for a provincial grant was denied and sufficient corporate funding was not available. The idea of a classic boat festival blossomed within the group which had grown to include Bev Highton, former owner of the schooner Lorna Doon, and President-elect of the Victoria Real Estate Board (VREB). Bev and VREB agreed to sponsor the festival.
In July 1978 the VREB hired Jim Russell to coordinate and promote the festival. Port Townsend had successfully started their own classic boat festival the previous year and the Victoria group got in touch seeking guidance, which was generously given. The close relationship that developed between the two festivals continues to this day. Labour Day weekend arrived with 32 classic boats moored in front of the Empress Hotel. The first Victoria Classic Boat Festival® was underway!
Frank Fredette, sealer, boat builder, naval architect and Thermopylae Club member served as the festival’s first judge and Honorary Commodore. One award, Best Sail was presented at the seafood wrap-up dinner served at James Bay’s White Eagles Hall. After the celebrations the participants were loaded onto double-decker buses and returned to their boats. With a good time had by all the weekend generated enough enthusiasm to begin what has become a significant event in the classic boat calendar.
The 2009 festival marked the final year of sponsorship by the REALTORS® of Greater Victoria through VREB, and Black Press.
Webliography
Canoe Cove
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