This Labour Day weekend head to the Inner Harbour to enjoy the City of Victoria’s beloved Classic Boat Festival. There are some 90 vessels on display—each one steeped with history and elegance.
The Maritime Museum of BC has held this nautical event since 1977 and is celebrating 46 years running on the West Coast. The festival celebrates boats from all around the Pacific Northwest, and sometimes even farther. Old or new under power or sail, these boats uphold those classic designs that have decorated the Pacific horizon for generations past.
“The Pacific Northwest is blessed with an enormous number of traditional boats,” said Brittany Vis, executive director of the Maritime Museum of BC and festival administrator. “The Festival began in 1977 with the idea that our maritime heritage must not only be preserved, but also celebrated.”
Dorothy at the 2024 Victoria Classic Boat Festival. Courtesy of James HolkkoThe event often sees about 10,000 visitors come to tour the docks and the boats on display. The vessels are moored at the Inner Harbour docks all weekend long, and many owners are known to offer tours on board.
On display this weekend are boats worth their salt in age and legend. Find Dorothy, the 1897 sailboat made in Victoria that still sails the blue, making it Canada’s oldest still-sailing ship. On land and worth a detour is the return of the beloved Victoria-built Trekka. Made famous by John Guzzwell’s 1955-58 global circumnavigation, this marks Trekka’s first public appearance in 10 years.
If stationary ships aren’t exciting enough, the Sunday Sail Past and Sail Race may be what you’re after. Starting at 11:00 on Sunday, these traditional highlights offer festivalgoers the chance to watch the parade of boats following Midnight Sun in salute to this year’s Honorary Commodore, William Harpster. After, the remaining sailboats begin their race, all viewable from Fisherman’s Wharf by Barb’s Fish and Chips, the Ogden Point Breakwater and Clover Point.
High-energy folk band the Hounds of Cuchulain will perform on the Dock Stage on Saturday. Courtesy of James Holkko.Aside from the myriad ships and dinghies, performers and artists will also share the spotlight for the festival. The Artists Aboard Program has invited featured artists Peter Loebel, Susan Pearson and Kathleen Schmalz to sketch their latest works live on the docks. With live musical performances from the Salty Singers, Hounds of Cuchulain and the shanties of Bilgewater filling the coastal air, the weekend promises a little bit of everything.
It’s open admission all weekend long, with recommended donations of $5. Come for the boats, come for the art—you won’t want to leave once you’re there.