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My Photos
The Tall Ships
taken July, 2001
The Bluenose II
TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE 2001
KINGSTON, ONTARIO.
Following three months of intense preparation, thousands of excited people gathered June 28th. along the newly spruced-up Kingston waterfront, to wave and cheer the Tall Ships Parade of Sail into the Harbour. The undeveloped area of waterfront known locally as "Block D" had been groomed and turned into a tent "Village" where the expected 250,000 visitors could board and tour ships, purchase mementos of the event, and enjoy refreshments and free entertainment. Ontario Street had become pedestrian-only for the event, with extended restaurant patio seating space to welcome hungry patrons until the wee small hours. Later a fleet of "special" Transit coaches could whisk the tired and happy visitors back to their vehicles, parked well away from the congestion of the downtown area.
Back in home-port after wintering in St. Petersburg, Florida the Caravan Stage Barge Amara Zee, at anchor near the Marine Museum, drew crowds each evening for "a carnival of Elizabethan dreams", based on Leon Rooke's novel "Shakespeare's Dog". The cast use the entire deck , the masts and rigging and surrounding land and water in a very acrobatic performance. The Caravan Group has its roots in a theatrical organization from Vancouver Island whose puppet shows were presented from horse-drawn wagons. In 1997 the Caravan Company took to the water in their Kingston built vessel The Amara Zee, performing in many locations each summer.
On Saturday, children shouted encouragement as the Tall Ships U.S. Brig Niagara and Kingston's own St. Lawrence II sailed out to exchange canon-fire in mock battle, with troops from Fort Henry returning fire from across the water. In the evening the Fort Henry Sunset Ceremony featured the majestic Tall Ships Ceremonial Retreat.
Despite the brisk winds and cooler temperatures on Sunday, July 1st. tourists and locals turned out in force to enjoy the Canada Day celebrations, culminating in the traditional fireworks display. A last minute change in wind direction caused a delay while one vessel moved to a safer anchorage away from the firing area, but soon the crowds were gazing into the night sky and thrilling to a colourful and exciting pyrotechnical event!
The Tall Ships weighed anchor and proudly set sail July 2nd., taking away with them the thanks of this community for transforming our harbour, and reminding Kingston of her long history as a port of commerce on Lake Ontario.
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