Bounty to star in Victoria’s Tall Ships Festival

 
Festival named a marquee maritime event for the province’s BC150 celebrations


The Bounty, built in 1960 for MGM’s Mutiny on the Bounty starring Marlon Brando, will make its first appearance in Victoria in nearly two decades. The 180-foot (54 metre) square-rigged three-master was constructed in Lunenburg, N.S., based on the original ship’s drawings still on file in the British admiralty archives.

“We have been working on getting the Bounty to Victoria almost since we conceived this festival,” said Bob Cross, President of the Victoria Tall Ships Society. “The ship is steeped in history. It’ll be a real thrill for people to walk her decks and think of Captain Bligh and his mutinous crew, one of the greatest sea stories of all times.”

Cross also introduced the Kaisei “Ocean Planet”, the third Class A ship to join the festival line up. The 151-foot (45 metre) brigantine has sailed under the UN flag due to her international crew and global partnership mission. In all, more than two dozen of the world’s finest Tall Ships are now confirmed for the festival.

Festival organizers unveiled the ship signings today at the Maritime Museum of British Columbia (MMBC). The location was chosen to draw attention to two new history-themed activities being added to this year’s festival to mark the province’s 150th anniversary as a Crown Colony.

Community Services Minister Ida Chong, MLA for Oak Bay Gordon Head, used the occasion to announce that the Government of BC is making a $50,000 contribution to the Victoria Tall Ships Festival and declared it a marquee maritime event in this year’s BC150 celebrations.

“So much of our province’s history and development is tied to the sea,” said Chong. “I encourage British Columbians from all corners of the province to come to Victoria in June to see these magnificent ships and relive our seafaring past.”

Organizers have teamed with local groups to showcase B.C.’s interesting history in exciting new ways at this year’s festival.

Maritime Mosaic, being organized by the Maritime Museum, is a multi-cultural showcase featuring more than 20 ethnic groups and celebrating the contributions they have made to the development of the province. Groups will host cultural exhibits, as well as interactive displays and performances on the festival site.
 

Festival goers will also be able to enjoy a taste of B.C.’s past at History Bites food pavilions. Local chefs will offer up historically-inspired ‘Bites’ from the 1830s until today, including early Jewish and Chinese food eaten in the city, Gold Rush fare and Afternoon Tea.

Victoria is the first port of call, and the only Canadian stop, for the full Tall Ships fleet participating in the 2008 Tall Ships Challenge®, a series of races along the west coast of Canada and the United States.

In addition to touring the ships docked in Victoria’s beautiful Inner Harbour, the event will feature a wide variety of dockside activities including a pirate school and interactive learning centre, live music and mock-cannon battles each evening.

The festival is hoping to attract more than 40,000 visitors, plus thousands more will view the opening Parade of Sail on June 26 and evening cannon battles off Ogden Point. In 2005, the festival attracted 38,000 visitors and resulted in a $5.2 million impact to the local economy.

To purchase tickets and for more information, visit www.tallshipsvictoria.ca. The festival’s website features the full line-up of ship profiles and photos, plus volunteer opportunities and information on family activities planned as part of the event.

Early-bird pricing is in effect until April 30. A four-day Festival Pass is now $25 and includes full Tall Ship boarding privileges and free admission to all on-site activities. Other ticket options are available. See the festival website for details.


Media Contact:
Bill Eisenhauer, Good Relations Inc.
2008 Tall Ships Festival Media Relations
250-744-4748 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   

Geoff Corbett, Executive Director
2008 Tall Ships Festival
250-384-2005 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it