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PHOTOS: Victoria Classic Boat Festival floats on for 44th year

Boat enthusiasts flock to annual event

If classic boats, marine-related exhibitions and family-friendly programs float your boat, then Victoria’s Inner Harbour was the place to be this Labour Day weekend.

The 44th Victoria Classic Boat Festival took place from Friday (Sept. 1) to Sunday, with some vessels arriving in the Inner Harbour on Thursday.

The festival featured around 70 classic wind and power-driven boats.

The event officially began with the arrival of the Honorary Commodore Flynn Gardener – on board the Maritime Museum of B.C. salute vessel Midnight Sun on Friday.

The festival also featured sail pasts on Sunday. Attendees were encouraged to watch the first in front of Prince of Whales Whale Watching. The second was visible from Dallas Road with vessels passing Ogden Point and Clover Point.

Sunday’s schedule also featured a sail race between Clover Point and Ogden Point.

A judging service was provided at the festival. The judges inspected vessels and offered advice and guidance to help owners restore their boats.

The event received support from the City of Victoria, the provincial government, the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority and Mill Bay Marine Group.

Donations were also accepted for the Maritime Museum of B.C.

The museum took over the event’s operations in 2017.

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Brendan Mayer

About the Author: Brendan Mayer

I spent my upbringing in Saskatoon, and in 2021, I made the move to Vancouver Island.
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