This past weekend, the 14th Annual Richmond Maritime Festival brought thousands out to the Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site in Steveston Village.
With the first smoke-free days after weeks of haze engulfing the city, the refreshing breeze and blue skies made for a perfect day to stroll the Fraser Riverfront, visit the historic Britannia Shipyard buildings; like the Seine Net Loft, Chinese Bunkhouse, Shipyards, or Murkani House. Intermixed with the permanent exhibits Maritime Festival zones hosted activities and entertainment for the whole family.
Music stages, games, puppet shows, historical and cultural arts and crafts. Visitors could try their hands at paddling a Dragon Boat, tie nautical knots, learn about the cargo and work that goes on at Port Metro Vancouver and Steveston Harbour.
The highlight for many was the local and visiting boats on display along the waterfront. Boat owners and crews welcomed visitors, young and old, aboard to explore the wooden boats, sailboats, tugs, lifeboat and more. People scrambled up and down the decks, engine rooms and berths as they learned about the life aquatic. All the while a band of pirates in their scaled-down ships chased each other along the riverwith smoke from their cannon fire circling the sails.
Saturday evening’s entertainment was unfortunately cut short when a real fire broke out at the nearby Colonial Cannery building. Thankfully it was brought under control by the Steveston Harbour Authority, who were on site at the Festival, and Richmond Fire Department. The Festival was able to recommence Sunday morning as scheduled, allowing even more families to enjoy the Richmond Maritime Festival.