The province is encouraging Nova Scotians to grab their lawnchairs and show up early to see the relaunch of the Bluenose II this Saturday, Sept. 29, in Lunenburg.
"It will be fantastic to see people coming out to celebrate and admire the beauty of Nova Scotia's sailing ambassador as she re-enters the water," said Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Leonard Preyra.
The official relaunch of the Bluenose II will begin at 7 a.m. to take advantage of high morning tides. People traveling to Lunenburg by Hwy. 103 should use exit 11, then travel along Blockhouse Road to the four-way stop at Lilydale. The public is asked to follow the signs to the parking areas. RCMP officers will be posted at strategic locations to ensure traffic moves smoothly.
Several streets will be closed to vehicle traffic at 7 p.m. Friday through Saturday, including Linden Avenue, Lower Street, Montague Street, Bluenose Drive and the portion of Pelham Street from Kempt Street east to the intersection with Blue Rocks road and Hospital hill.
"This is a tremendous effort on the part of all the organizations and individuals involved in the Bluenose II relaunch," said Laurence Mawhinney, Mayor of the Town of Lunenburg. "It is community cooperation at its finest."
Organizers for the Bluenose II relaunch have been working closely with the town of Lunenburg, the RCMP, the Lunenburg and District Fire Department, Emergency Health Services and Event Security personnel to develop plans for parking, traffic flow and emergency coverage.
More than 350 parking spots will be available. Parking lots have been designated at several locations, including Lunenburg Community Centre, HB studios, Composites Atlantic and Lunenburg Academy, on Blockhouse Hill, as well as the Surf Shop on Blue Rocks Road and at Highliner Foods.
Shuttle service will be provided from Highliner Foods and the Surf Shop parking areas.
A live computer feed of the relaunch and much of the days entertainment will be available at http://bluenose.novascotia.ca/ .
Three stages of local and Atlantic Canadian talent will continue after the relaunch. The family stage at the Zwicker wharf runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The afternoon main stage will run from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. outside the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. The evening stage goes from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The Bridgewater Fire Department Band is part of the finale, which ends with a burst of fireworks.
For more information, go to http://bluenose.novascotia.ca/events/ .
The relaunch event will proceed rain or shine. It would be rescheduled for a major weather disturbance.
