The Ports
TALL SHIPS ATLANTIC CHALLENGE 2012 THE SHIPS THE PORTS MEDIA PARTNERS
Port Hawkesbury (July 25-26)
Known as Cape Breton’s front porch, Port Hawkesbury located along the scenic eastern shore of the Strait of Canso, the deepest ice free port in North America, is the Business and Professional Hub of the Strait of Canso Area. We provide “big Town” services in a “small town” atmosphere. We are proud to proclaim that our Town has been identified as one of the best small towns in Canada.
Port Hawkesbury’s first settlers of the late 1700’s had to work very hard to survive. Tending to livestock and hunting animals such as muskrat and caribou during the winter and collecting dogfish, cod and seal oil in the spring to be traded with England.
Shipbuilding and fishing establishments created employment opportunities by the 1830’s. by the 1880’s the town of Port Hawkesbury was a well-established sea-faring port. At this time the only means of transportation between Cape Breton and mainland Nova Scotia was by boat.
By the early 1900’s the Town was bustling with business. A common rest spot for those travelling from the island to the mainland, Port Hawkesbury’s business industry included several hotels, restaurants, lobster canners, watchmakers and a telegraph office.
Many were opposed to the construction of the Canso Causeway in 1955, because it meant closure to the ferry and rail business many relied on. In the end the Causeway opened up many more business opportunities than it closed. Port Hawkesbury boasts the deepest natural harbor in North America positioning our Superport as a key point on the shipping lanes which can accommodate post panamax ships and has easy access to the Maritimes and Northeast Pipeline and the Sable Island Gas and Oil Fields.
Port Hawkesbury is excited to once again welcome the Tall Ships, their crews and visitors to our Town and harbour on July 25 and 26, 2012.
Please see our event details: Tall Ships 2012 – Port Hawkesbury Events
Tall Ships visiting Port Hawkesbury:
Port Hawkesbury visitor attractions:
A focal point of the region, serving residents, the business community and tourists with Cape Breton Ceilidhs (kay-lee): Folk music and storytelling parties; social events with singing and dancing to traditional Scottish or Irish music. Port Hawkesbury is proud to offer a state-of-the-art multi-functional facility that encompasses an ice venue, fitness centre (YMCA), conference facilities and civic administrative offices. Already recognized with the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Architectural Design, the Centre is unique with its “green” technologies a prime example of what a community can achieve when leaders from industry, business and government partner with its citizens to meet the infrastructure needs of a region. The Civic Centre is a truly “green building” that utilizes design and construction innovations that make it more energy efficient and therefore easier on the environment and its users.
A large 50-meter indoor salt water pool is available to the public. The pool provides learn to swim programs throughout the year featuring a salt water wading pool for young families.
Free concert series taking place on Waterfront in Port Hawkesbury, overlooking a magical view of the Strait of Canso, on Sundays in July and August. Being your blanket or chair for your own comfort and join us for some great entertainment. For the full line-up go to Granville green.com
Not long after the buzz winds of the Festival of the Strait calm down, Port Hawkesbury will welcome the Tall Ships Picton Castle, HMS Bounty, Appledore 4 and 5 and for the young families and their children the ever imaginative….Theodore Tug Boat. The ships’ visits will be the continuation of the province –wide Tall Ships Nova Scotia 2012 event. Crew members and our visitors can be assured that the townspeople of Port Hawkesbury will welcome them with open arms, ensuring their visit to our town will be a lasting memory.
For more information please visit www.townofporthawkesbury.ca
Come and celebrate the best of Nova Scotia and our history with us on the front porch of one of the greatest islands in the world……Cape Breton. If you like, unbelievable scenic beautiful spacious beaches by the sea, we got lots of them!
