Flags will be flying as the Bluenose II arrives in Port Hawkesbury for Festival of the Strait.
The festival is celebrating its 60th anniversary and according to Bert Lewis, Commodore at the Strait of Canso Yacht Club, it’s a very big deal every summer.
“People, I know, people who live away…they’ll plan their vacation around this. It’s a real highlight of the year here in the Port Hawkesbury area,” Lewis tells our newsroom.
This year, our community is competing with Canso to see which harbour gives the better reception to the iconic schooner, following a friendly competition in 2020 between Canso and Whitehead.
In June, Canso Councillor Fin Armsworthy issued the challenge to Port Hawkesbury Mayor Brenda Chisholm-Beaton — and she happily accepted!
Lewis says it’s not that far of a sail but it’s good to see that kind of interaction between the two communities.
“We got a call at the marina to see if we could put together a group that would go out and meet their challenge. So, we’re really looking forward to it,” adds Lewis.
He says they expect about 10 or 12 boats to take part, ranging anywhere from 19 to 45 feet, so it should be an impressive sight.
“Some of them are sailboats, so you know they’ll be flying sail. The winds are forecast to be light, which means that the Bluenose will probably have every sail in its inventory up and flying,” says Lewis.
He adds, if you are watching from the Guysborough side, from Steep Creek, you’ll be able to see the windmills in behind.
“There’s 11 windmills out in the Point Tupper, Bear Head region and I think that’s going to make a nice shot of the Bluenose under sail and all these other boats and the windmills behind,” says Lewis.
Most of the boats are expected to leave Port Hawkesbury around 3 p.m., Thursday, to be in the Strait around 4:30 p.m.
“Then we’ll start heading up the Strait toward Port Hawkesbury. The Bluenose is hoping to be secured to the dock in Port Hawkesbury at 6 p.m.,” adds Lewis.
You can walk the deck and talk to the crew Friday and Saturday.
On Sunday, the Bluenose II will cross Chedabucto Bay to visit Canso.
A drone will be used to count the vessels in each port to determine the bigger welcoming flotilla.
