Sidelaunch Days Harbourfront Festival Returns to Collingwood
Collingwood’s harbourfront festival is back August 5th to 7th with a weekend full of activities celebrating the joy of being in, on, and around South Georgian Bay while commemorating the unique shipbuilding heritage of Collingwood. With free activities for all ages, Sidelaunch Days is a great family festival not to be missed.
The festivities begin on Friday with an invitation from the Collingwood Museum to learn more about Collingwood’s shipbuilding heritage through their new exhibit entitled Launch Day and a new Community Collector’s Exhibit featuring the Nottawasaga Lighthouse.
Friday also features an evening stand up paddle board (SUP) social paddle organized by the Ontario SUP Series, followed by two days of competitive SUP races taking place in Collingwood Harbour. Register to compete at www.ontariosupseries.com or take in the excitement from the promenade cheering for your favourite racers.
Other activities taking place over the weekend include:
Dockside tours of the STV Pathfinder: Take a tour of this tall ship’s upper and lower decks, meet crew members, and learn about the Brigs Youth Sail Training Program.
Free kayaking and SUP Boarding: Give kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) a try with complimentary rentals from Little Ed’s Harbourview Rentals.
Promenade Vendor Walk: Stroll the waterfront promenade visiting vendors of all kinds featuring treats and treasures for everyone. Also, stop by the Town of Collingwood and NVCA booths to chat with Collingwood’s Climate Action Specialist Nicole Yardy and NVCA staff to learn about stream health and how important it is.
Collingwood Charter Dockside Bar & Ice Cream Shop: While not out on the waters of Georgian Bay conducting sightseeing tours, the Huronic will be docked in the Side Launch Basin. Hop aboard for a tour, a cold beverage, and an ice cream treat.
Activity Play Station: Enjoy self-directed fun and games for all ages including Corn Hole, Giant Jenga, Connect Four, and Pick-up-Sticks, and the family-favourite Blue Blocks.
Amphitheatre Concerts: Nine-time Country Music Alberta Award recipients, The Prairie States, make their Collingwood debut Saturday night at 8:00 p.m. and fan-favourites Freedom Train return to Collingwood at 8:00 p.m. Sunday night. These concerts are generously sponsored by Fram+Slokker and CollingwoodQuayCondos.com – who invite you to support great live music that brings people together while celebrating our community!
For a full schedule of events, visit www.sidelaunchdays.ca.
About Sidelaunch Days
Why the name you might ask? The Sidelaunch Days Festival was named in honour of Collingwood’s shipbuilding heritage and the unique method of launching ships at The Collingwood Shipyards. Learn more by visiting the Collingwood Museum at 45 St. Paul Street. www.collingwood.ca/museum
Sidelaunch Days are part of Collingwood’s On The Water We Love event which spans August 5th to September 1st. On The Water We Love invites you to take a journey of discovery and recognition of life-giving water along the Collingwood shoreline, exploring water-based themes of ecosystems, industry, recreation, access, safety, and conservation. Visit www.collingwood.ca/onthewater for more details.
For more information, contact:
Karen Cubitt
Manager, Culture & Events
T. 705-445-2500 Ext. 3711
kcubitt@collingwood.ca
Christa Carter
Manager, Public Relations & Communications
T. 705-445-1030 Ext. 3274
ccarter@collingwood.ca