Celebrate Canada Day at the Redpath Waterfront Festival, July 1-3
Feb 24, 2016
The Redpath Waterfront Festival (RWF) will once again launch the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® Great Lakes series in Toronto on Canada Day weekend. El Galeon, an early colonial Spanish ship and floating museum, Draken Harald Hårfagre the most authentic Viking ship of its kind since 1200 A.D., along with the return of Pride of Baltimore II,will offer public tours in Toronto before each continues through the Great Lakes with stops at ports on both sides of the border. This year the RWF will span the waterfront from HTO Park to the Yonge Street slip and welcome for the first time the Royal Canadian Navy. Additional programming will include the Waterfront Artisan Market and the Ultimutts Stunt Dog Show. Visitors will also be able to check out live music, dance demos, live art and buskers at the Simcoe and Rees WaveDecks and take in the beauty of the Grand Finale Parade of Sail. General admission to the festival is FREE with a nominal charge for ship deck tours. This year, PortsToronto has signed on as the presenting sponsor for the festival.
“The Redpath Waterfront Festival attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to Toronto’s Waterfront each year and showcases the best this area has to offer,” says Deborah Wilson, Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs, PortsToronto. “We have been a sponsor of this event for several years and are thrilled to be heightening our involvement to come aboard as the presenting sponsor of this fun, interactive waterfront community event, especially this year, as we welcome the return of the tall ships.”
BE INSPIRED BY THE ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY
A public Grand Opening will take place on Thursday June 30th, featuring the Royal Canadian Navy and other highlights of the weekend. In addition, visitors will have the opportunity to tour two of the Navy’s 55-meter coastal defence vessels during the festival weekend. Visitors can also test their fitness levels as the RWF hosts a fun Navy-themed Obstacle Course for public and corporate teams.
BROWSE AND SHOP AT THE WATERFRONT ARTISAN MARKET
After a very successful first year, the Waterfront Artisan Market (WAM) returns to the RWF. WAM showcases local designers, artisans, chefs, bakers and makers to inspire our city and highlight its culture in HTO Park.
SEE THE ULTIMUTTS STUNT DOG SHOW
Returning for a second year, the Ultimutts Stunt Dog Show features more than 50 incredible and hilarious tricks including: tightrope walking, handstands, skateboarding, piano playing, balancing acts and more.
ENCOUNTER POP-UP ENTERTAINMENT AT THE SIMCOE AND REES WAVEDECKS
Take a break and experience live music, dance demos, live art and buskers at the Simcoe and Rees WaveDecks.
WATCH THE PARADE OF SAIL
On the final day of the festival, there will be a grand finale Parade of Sail with all participating ships plus unique local vessels. The ships will sail along Toronto’s harbour from west to east. Previous RWF Parade of Sails have attracted hundreds of thousands of spectators along the entire stretch of Toronto’s waterfront.
2016 Redpath Waterfront Festival partners include Redpath Sugar, PortsToronto, The Waterfront BIA, Waterfront Toronto, among others.
The Redpath Waterfront Festival is an annual summer event providing on-land and on-water programming for people of all ages and interests, with the goal of promoting Toronto locally and internationally as a premiere waterfront destination. With music, food, nautical programs and entertainment, the festival offers something for everyone to enjoy. Every three years, the event welcomes majestic TALL SHIPS® to Toronto. www.TOwaterfrontfest.com
