Birds of a Feather

Eligibility

• The Festival is open to well-maintained vessels of traditional plank-on-frame construction built prior to 1956. Wood laminated hulls and newer vessels may be accepted if built to pre-1956 design.
• The Festival is also open to riveted boats of iron or steel construction built prior to 1956.
• The Festival is NOT open to cement, plywood, fiberglass or multi-hull vessels.

Cost (includes moorage for the three days of the festival)

Registration

• Pre-registration is mandatory for all vessels that wish to be judged for awards categories.
• Pre-registration and purchase of dinner tickets also guarantees your seat at the Awards Banquet. General registrations are accepted right up to the Festival.
• We will again be offering an Early Bird Pre-Registration Draw. The winner of the draw will receive a refund of their registration fee at the Awards Banquet on Sunday evening. In order to qualify for the draw, pre-registration is required by June 30.

On Arrival

• The Registration Desk will be located adjacent to the Peden Recreation Vehicle in the parking lot west of Milestone’s restaurant. As usual for added safety first-aid coordinators will cruise the docks (look for the red jackets). Their base of operations will also be the Peden RV.
• We appreciate your usual courtesy, co-operation and patience while our energetic harbour control organizes docking. (Festival Wharfinger Radio Contact: VHF 68). Pick up your registration kit and participant ribbons at the Registration Desk which is open from 1200 hrs to 1800 hrs. on Friday, August 29 and from 0900 hrs. to 1800 hrs. on Saturday, August 30. All boats on the main fingers are asked to dock stern to the Empress Hotel.

First Time?

Please note: there is no reserved docking, and "For Sale" signs or "Charter" signs are not permitted.

The Festival Wharfinger will again make every effort to locate last year's award winners to dockside. Space is always at a premium and the Festival Wharfinger will determine final location of all vessels. Simply arriving first does NOT guarantee dockside.

Favourites on the Water

• Official start to the Festival... Friday at noon in the Inner Harbour.
• Welcoming reception... Hoist a glass of good cheer and exchange yarns with your mates on Friday from 1900 to 2100 hrs. Please wear your "Participant" ribbon.
• Steamboat Parade... See the unique steamboats cruise the Gorge Waterway on Saturday from 1400 hrs onwards.
• o Sailpast... The weekend's highlight! Sunday, August 31. All participants cast off at 1045 hrs., file out of the Inner Harbour, and parade past the official Salute Vessel, to take the salute of the Honorary Commodore. Please attend the Skippers' meeting Sunday at 0900 hrs. on the Lower Causeway for details.
• Races... The Schooner, Classic Open and one Design races. Please attend the Skippers' meeting Sunday at 0900 hrs. on the Lower Causeway for details. Starts for the races will sound following the Sailpast.

One Design Race includes Sailorettes, Folkboats, Cubs, 6-Metres, 8-Metres, Stars, Blanchard Knockabouts, Spritzgatters, Concordias, etc. A minimum of four boats is required to compete. Please advise the Race Committee in writing if you have a One-Design vessel for this race.