The Jolly Tars ensemble, part of the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy, will use their sweet sounds to quell a pirate uprising at Ships to Shore Steveston from Sunday, June 29 through Canada Day.
The Jolly Tars will be performing twice daily on June 29 and 30 along the Steveston waterfront, where they’re sure to encounter the roving rogues that are crowd favorites at Ships to Shore. Richmond’s popular annual festival, featuring free boarding of more than a dozen historic and unique vessels from classic tall ships to modern Navy vessels, returns to Steveston Village as part of Richmond’s celebrations of Canada Day. This year, the festival will be capped off with a special Canada Day fireworks show along the Steveston waterfront.
The Royal Canadian Navy is headlining this year’s festival. The colourful HMCS Oriole tall ship, the longest-serving commissioned vessel in the Royal Canadian Navy, will be joined by two of the Navy’s eight Orca-class patrol ships. Other ships include the historic schooners Adventuress and Zodiac. The ships will be anchored at Steveston’s Imperial Landing and at Britannia Shipyards, National Historic Site, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary.
The Navy’s Jolly Tars, a combo featuring saxophone, flugelhorn and a rhythm section, will perform a mix of jazz and light pop tunes on Sunday, June 29 and Monday, June 30 from noon to 1 p.m. and 2 to 3 p.m. each day near Imperial Landing on the Steveston Waterfront.
Throughout the festival, a band of pirates will be roving the festival site, entertaining crowds with their roguish antics. The popular Mini-Brigs, miniature pirate ships just large enough to squeeze aboard a burly pirate or two, will also be roaring about the waterfront.
Ships to Shore Steveston runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 29 and 30, and from noon to 6 p.m. on July 1. Ship boarding is free. The fireworks presentation will take place at 10:15 p.m. on Canada Day and will be viewable from anywhere along the Steveston Channel waterfront. For more details, visit www.richmond.ca/shipstoshore.
Steveston Village is the place to be throughout the Canada Day holiday. On Canada Day, Steveston is also home of the 69th annual Steveston Salmon Festival, known as “Canada’s biggest little birthday party.” This year, the popular free Canada Day celebration includes a parade, children’s festival, food fair, fabulous entertainment and the Salmon Festival’s signature salmon barbecue.
Steveston’s two national historic sites, the Britannia Shipyards and the Gulf of Georgia Cannery, will also be open throughout the Canada Day weekend. Drop by both to view great exhibits on the history of Canada’s West Coast fishing industry and much more.
Meanwhile Steveston’s merchants have banded together to celebrate the World Cup in style. Each of the 32 participating nations in the World Cup has been adopted by one or more Village businesses and attractions, which host viewing parties and other fun activities whenever their team plays. Daily events continue to mid-July. Visit www.worldcupsteveston.com for more details.
Parking in Steveston is limited and some road closures will be in place on Canada Day morning due to the Steveston Salmon Festival parade. Festival-goers are encouraged to take transit, cycle or walk to avoid traffic and parking congestion. A special free shuttle service will be available on Canada Day from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. The shuttle will leave from the City Operations Yard at 5599 Lynas Lane and drop off and pick up passengers at Railway and Moncton and at Britannia Shipyards. Parking is free at the Operations Yard.
Ships to Shore Steveston is produced by the City of Richmond. Ships to Shore Steveston is part of Richmond Days of Summer, which is presented by Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Community Partners are Port Metro Vancouver, Coast Capital Savings, RE/MAX and Cowell Auto Group. Media Partners are CTV, QM-FM, 24 Hours and the Richmond Review. Additional support for Ships to Shore Steveston is provided by Gold Seal, HappyWater, River Rock Casino Resort, Van Houtte Coffee Services, Steveston Community Society, Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue, and the Britannia Heritage Shipyard Society.
