Stephanie Chaves – Blackburn News Sarnia, August 9, 2019
Concerts, art, majestic tall ships, and a perfect weather forecast are expected to draw tens of thousands to the Sarnia waterfront for what’s being billed as an epic weekend.
Bluewater Borderfest kicks off Thursday night, The Tall Ships Festival begins Friday, and ARTZscape by the Bay is on Saturday and Sunday.
Tourism Sarnia-Lambton (TSL) Executive Director Mark Perrin said Tyler Farr takes to the stage Thursday night to start the festivities at Centennial Park.
“Tickets all available and we hope to pack the park, and show lots of support for Big Wreck [Friday] and all the bands coming this weekend,” said Perrin. “Styx is really picking up with Dennis DeYoung on Saturday night.”
Lou Gramm of Foreigner, Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger, and John Payne of Asia will perform Sunday.
TSL Coordinator Vicky Praill said the Tall Ships Festival starts with the Parade of Sails Friday afternoon.
“We have six beautiful tall ships coming as well as a coast guard ship,” said Praill. “Probably the most iconic ship is the Bluenose, we have the Santa Maria which is a replica of Christopher Columbus’ ships, Picton Castle which is a Cook Islands ship, Empire Sandy which is Canada’s largest tall ship, and we also have Fair Jeanne and Appledore IV.”
Perrin says general admission tickets for the Tall Ships will be available at the gate at Sarnia Harbour on Seaway Road, however boarding passes are nearly sold out.
Admission to ARTZscape is free. Over 100 artisans from across Ontario will be showcasing their creations along with a kid zone and an interactive Indigenous flair.
There will be shuttles available from Lambton Mall and the Starlight Casino Point Edward. They will be running every fifteen minutes from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day.
Free parking will also be available at the health unit, Sandrin Services and the former Holmes Foundry site.
Harbour Road will be closed, except for patrons going to Paddy Flaherty’s Irish Pub, Stokes by the Bay and the Harbourfront Inn.