Tall Ships return for 1812 tour of Ontario

TORONTO, March 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - Water's Edge Festivals & Events is proud to announce the TALL SHIPS^® 1812 Tour: a pan provincial event that will travel throughout Ontario during the summer of 2013, commemorating the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.

From June 14^th to September 2^nd the Tall Ships will travel to 16 Ontario ports, including Brockville, Toronto, Hamilton, Port Dalhousie, Sault Ste. Marie, Owen Sound, Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Penetanguishene, Midland, Discovery Harbour, Windsor, Amherstburg, Leamington, Kingsville and Pelee Island.  This exciting summer of waterfront entertainment is produced in partnership with the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE^® Great Lakes 2013 series.

"Our government is proud to help commemorate the War of 1812 Bicentennial through our support for the TALL SHIPS^® 1812 Tour," said Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.  "The TALL SHIPS^® 1812 Tour will be a spectacular way to mark a defining moment in our nation's history.  This is a signature event that will draw visitors from Ontario and beyond our borders, strengthen local economies and create jobs right across Ontario."

The fleet's in!  A vantage point on Toronto's waterfront.
The Redpath Waterfront Festival, from June 20-23, 2013, will be the official launch of the tour and will welcome the entire Tall Ship fleet, occupying two kilometers along the inner harbour. The spectacular Opening Ceremonies will take place on Thursday and the entire four-day weekend is given over to festivities for all ages and interests. Visitors will enjoy deck tours of Tall Ships, thrill to the beauty of famous sailing vessels, and participate in special events on land along Toronto's waterfront.  The launch will end on Sunday with an unforgettable sight - the entire fleet displayed in a Parade of Sail as they leave for their next port.

Redpath Sugar - presenting sponsor
"For over 150 years, Redpath Sugar has been bringing raw sugar into Canada by ship," said Peter Toppazzini, Redpath Director of Sales, who is also the Festival Board Chair.  "In addition to being the title sponsor for the annual Waterfront Festival in Toronto, we are proud to be the presenting sponsor of this Pan Provincial event that celebrates the shared histories of Canada and the United States through the TALL SHIPS^® 1812 Tour."

Response from the tall ships community is enthusiastic, with many historic and spectacular vessels joining the ever-growing fleet.  Among the early participants are two ships that provide a link to the War of 1812.  They are the Pride of Baltimore II and Privateer Lynx, both replica topsail schooners modeled after US vessels that took part in the many sea battles of the war.  Another is a truly tall Tall Ship - SS Sorlandet, from Norway; at an impressive 890 tons, she is the oldest full rigged ship in the world, still in operation.

A summer of excitement at Ontario Regional ports
Tall Ships America^® Executive Director Bert Rogers comments: "As befits the commemoration of the momentous events that took place here during the War of 1812, the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE^® Great Lakes 2013 will be the most exciting series ever produced in the Great Lakes.  We are extremely proud that the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE^® will return to the beautiful port city of Toronto and will expand to 15 other ports in Ontario. We look forward to celebrating 200 years of peace between nations through these wonderful events."

Water's Edge Festivals & Events (WEFE) is an Ontario not-for-profit corporation created in 2011 with a mandate to be the driving force behind the successful Redpath Waterfront Festival Toronto.

The Redpath Waterfront Festival provides on-water and on-land programming, while positioning and promoting Toronto locally, nationally and internationally as a premiere waterfront destination. The festival is proud to recognize Toronto Brigantine Inc. as its preferred charity partner. Toronto Brigantine provides sail training opportunities to youth, building character through adventure.

To keep up to date with developments during the countdown to the Redpath Waterfront Festival, visit the official website TOwaterfrontfest.com. For information on the entire TALL SHIPS^® 1812 Tour, please visit Tallships1812.ca.

TALL SHIPS^® 1812 TOUR Ports & Dates:

SOURCE Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation

Image with caption: "The US Pride of Baltimore II, an 1812-era reproduction of a topsail, privateer schooner will be among the fleet participating in The TALL SHIPS® 1812 Tour presented by Redpath Sugar Produced in partnership with TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® Great Lakes 2013, the tour launches the Redpath Waterfront Festival, Toronto, June 20-23. It will visit 16 Ontario ports this summer. (CNW Group/Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130307_C2999_PHOTO_EN_24359.jpg

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