The 43rd Victoria Classic Boat Festival returns to Victoria’s Inner Harbour this weekend after a two-year break.
The festival, organized since 2017 by the Maritime Museum of B.C., is expected to attract about 10,000 people this year, following two years of COVID-related cancellations.
For a suggested $5 donation, guests can view upwards of 100 boats from the Pacific Northwest moored at the public docks along Wharf and Government streets.
The floating docks open at 8 a.m. today through Sunday.
The festival officially gets underway at noon today with the arrival of honorary commodore Ann Jones, a longtime museum staffer and volunteer who will enter the Inner Harbour aboard the salute vessel, Midnight Sun.
Several private events for registered boaters will be held at the nearby Union Club of B.C., though much of the festival remains open to the public.
Many marine-related exhibitions and family-friendly programs are also on tap, including a performance by the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy, costume contest and harbour‑ferry ballet.
Races between Ogden Point and Clover Point, which begin Sunday at 11 a.m. with a cannon salute, are expected to draw large crowds of onlookers.
• For the full schedule, go to mmbc.bc.ca.
>>> To comment on this article, write a letter to the editor: letters@timescolonist.com
