The Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary - Pacific Unit 12 Halfmoon Bay (CCGA12) presents the 2006 Sunshine Coast Wooden Boat Festival. Now in its third year, this annual event held in Porpoise Bay in Sechelt continues to grow, adding new events and different vessels with many of the favourite events from the past. Admission for adults is $2 per day with a $5 family rate. Posters and T-shirts are also available. All proceeds from the event go to support the volunteer marine lifesaving efforts of CCGA12.
The festival takes place from Aug. 5 to 7 running each day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It features live music from Lynne and Reg Dickson and Joe Stanton, a concession and a multitude of events. From the ever-popular blindfolded rowboat races to last year's run-away success, the wooden boat building for kids, the 2006 event is bound to be fun for the entire family. As a special treat this year, members of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary from Unit 9 in Roberts Bank will join the festival with their Waveny Class lifeboat, offering tours of this unique vessel on Saturday. Members from CCGA12 will also be on hand along with their state-of-the-art rescue vessel to answer questions and offer rides by donation, based on availability. As always, the main feature is, of course, the wooden boats themselves. Meet their owners and learn their history while exploring their beautiful craftsmanship. Boats join the festival from ports both near and far and each year there are new ones to see. Cast your vote for the people's choice, and in so doing, help select what vessel will be featured on the poster for the 2007 festival. The signature painting for the 2006 festival features the talents of local artist Annele Asikainen. The painting depicts the 2005 Sunshine Coast Wooden Boat Festival people's choice award winner Honey. The painting was donated by the artist, and in addition to being the basis of this year's poster and t-shirts, the original will be auctioned off during the festival to help raise funds for CCGA12.
For more information check out www.scwoodenboat.ca.
