Cunard to Celebrate 175th Anniversary in Halifax, Nova Scotia -- Milestone Occasion Marked in Ancestral Home of Cunard
Halifax, Nova Scotia (PRWEB) July 05, 2015 -- This journey inaugurated the first scheduled mail and passenger service across the Atlantic. The flagship vessel is scheduled to arrive at the Port of Halifax at 6:00 a.m. A.D.T.
Cunard will mark the milestone with events, including:
• An outdoor ceremony where a public area on the Halifax waterfront will be named for Cunard. The ceremony will take place on the site of an upcoming mixed use development led by Southwest Properties and in collaboration with Waterfront Development. Rhapsody Quintet will perform during the event.
• Presentation of the first annual “Samuel Cunard Prize for Vision, Courage and Creativity” to James D. Irving, whose family enterprise has been growing business in Canada and the U.S. for more than 130 years.
• The re-opening of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic’s Age of Steam exhibition and the launch of a new Samuel Cunard retrospective exhibit showcasing the founder's impact on global business, transportation and world events. At 5:00 p.m. A.D.T, the museum will be open for free for the exhibit opening reception.
• A festive evening departure where the Royal Canadian Navy will salute Queen Mary 2 from the Frigate HMCS Montreal as Royal Canadian Sea Cadets fire salute from the shore.
“Halifax is proud to be Sir Samuel Cunard’s birthplace,” said Lynn Ledwidge, Director, Marketing, Destination Halifax. “The anniversary events will celebrate these roots and toast the future of the Halifax-Cunard connection.”
Queen Mary 2 will depart the berth at 8:00 p.m. A.D.T. and then conduct a counter clockwise tour of the harbour. Upon leaving the berth, Queen Mary 2 will proceed in a north easterly direction leaving Georges Island to starboard as she continues on a course that will take her approximately mid harbour and directly opposite HMC Dockyard (this is also the site of the original Cunard Wharves where RMS Britannia berthed). Here, she will turn to port and fall into line with the escort vessels. The convoy order will be:
1. Theodore Tugboat
2. Tugboat Atlantic Oak (with water canons)
3. Queen Mary 2
4. Royal Canadian Navy Frigate HMCS Montreal
The procession will then proceed in a southerly direction close to the Halifax boardwalk/waterfront, providing ample opportunity for public viewing.
A naval artillery salute will take place shoreside from the wharf of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic where music will be provided by the Stadacona Band. Queen Mary 2 and escort vessels will continue moving slowly southward along the Halifax seawall, leaving Georges Island to port.
Upon passing Pier 21, the flotilla will be joined by yachts and other pleasure craft from the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron and other yacht clubs in the area.
Queen Mary 2 will then continue on her commemorative Crossing sailing down to Boston and New York, with special events scheduled for each port of call.
"We look forward to honouring Sir Samuel Cunard in his birthplace of Halifax, and to celebrating the company's first North American port of call," said Richard Meadows, President, Cunard, North America. "Cunard is honoured to be one of the few companies who can claim a 175-year history and Halifax plays an instrumental role in that story," he continued.
About Destination Halifax
Destination Halifax is a partnership of the Province of Nova Scotia, the Halifax Regional Municipality, the Hotel Association of Nova Scotia and participating industry members. Since its inception in 2002, Destination Halifax has operated with a goal of promoting the Halifax region as a year-round destination of choice for business and leisure travellers.
Media Contact:
Regis Dudley
Communications Manager
Phone: 902-423-1133
Email: rdudley(at)destinationhalifax(dot)com
Regis Dudley, Destination Halifax, http://www.destinationhalifax.com, 902-423-1133, [email protected]
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