The Maritime Museum of B.C. has cancelled the 2020 Victoria Classic Boat Festival.
The annual Labour Day weekend event, which brings as many as 100 classic boats into the Inner Harbour, was scrapped as the docks do not provide enough space to ensure safe physical distancing.
David Leverton, the museum’s executive director, said organizers are “very disappointed” about the cancellation.
“The decision was made by the board of directors to protect the public, the boaters, and museum staff and volunteers from any associated risks related to COVID-19 and to do our part in keeping our community safe,” he said.
The festival, which has been held for more than 40 years, brings nearly 10,000 visitors to the docks each year, allowing them to get up close to sailings vessels from around the Pacific Northwest region.
Though it’s no substitute for the real thing, the museum is putting together video related to classic wooden boats, including historic footage from previous festivals.
It intends to release the content through its social media channels in time for the Labour Day weekend, Sept. 5-7, and hopes to bring the festival back to the Inner Harbour next year.
