Sidelaunch Days 2024: Celebrating Collingwood's Waterfront and Shipbuilding History

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Collingwood, ON [22 July 2024] – Collingwood, ON – Sidelaunch Days returns in 2024, inviting residents and visitors alike to join in a vibrant celebration of Collingwood’s rich maritime heritage and the scenic beauty of South Georgian Bay. This annual festival, to be held August 9th & 10th, promises a weekend filled with free activities for all ages, highlighting the joy of being in, on, and around the water.

The festival spans across three key activity areas, including Harbourview Park, the waterfront promenade, and Downtown Collingwood (84 Hurontario Street). Explore each location and enjoy live music, entertainment, shipbuilding history, giant games, and more. Each activity area promises something for everyone to enjoy including beverages and food options for purchase.

Returning to Sidelaunch Days are traditional favorites and a mix of new activities.

Information & Exploration
Saturday, August 10 & Sunday, August 11, 10 am. – 4:00 p.m., North Hurontario Street
Your source for the Sidelaunch Days schedule and official map. Learn about the different organizations dedicated to preserving a healthy environment and protecting the region’s water system and the land surrounding. Pick up your Children’s Launch Passport and wooden boat craft kit (while supplies last) and then collect stickers, build and launch your own wooden crafted boat. Learn about the history of the harbour from the perspective of the harbour.

Ontario SUP Series and SUP Nationals
Saturday, August 10 & Sunday, August 11, Various times, Side Launch Basin
The Ontario SUP Race Series is a competitive and fun event series for the sport of stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) in Ontario. This year’s Collingwood stop on the series will also serve as the Canadian Surf Association SUP Nationals and a qualifier to represent Canada at the ISA World SUP Championships this September in Copenhagen, Denmark. There are competitive and recreational divisions to choose from. Register online to compete or take in the excitement from the Promenade cheering on your favorite racers! Presented in partnership with Ontario SUP Series and Blu Wave.

Free Kayaking and SUP Boarding
Saturday, August 10 & Sunday, August 11, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Harbourview Park, Westside Dock, Birch Street North
Give kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) a try with a complimentary 30-minute rental from Little Ed’s Harbourview Rentals. Presented in partnership with Little Ed’s Harbourview Rentals. Must be 18 or older or be at least 16 years with an adult. Some conditions apply.

Tall Ship Dockside Tours
Saturday, August 10 & Sunday, August 11, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Sidelaunch Basin
Hop aboard the TS Playfair for a free tour of the ships’ upper and lower decks, meet crew members, and learn about the Brigs Youth Sail Training Program. Sponsored by Greenland International Consulting.

Team K9 Dog Show
Saturday, August 10 & Sunday, August 11, 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., Harbourview Park, Birch Street North
Enjoy an action-packed, family-friendly, frisbee and dog sport show including a variety of features such as agility/steeplechase, musical hoops, tricks, relay racing, weave pole challenges, frisbee dogs, high jumping, and more. The show includes dogs of a variety of breeds. Music accompanies the show, and an emcee will keep the audience riveted to the action.

Giant Games
Saturday, August 10 & Sunday, August 11, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Side Launch Way & Downtown Collingwood
Play giant games including Res-Q-Me Giant Battleship, Tic Tac Dunk, and Volleypong with family and friends.

Georgian Bay Heritage League & Canadian Museum of Water
Saturday, August 10 & Sunday, August 11, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Harbourview Park
Explore the historic Watts boats including the 1901 John Watts Junior, 1910 Watts Lighthouse Boat, and 1920 Watts Rowboat. The Georgian Bay Heritage League will provide interpretive tours and share some of the history behind each boat and the restoration process. Canadian Museum of Water will also be on site with the Diversité a 11.5 m wooden rowing craft.

Live Music
Enjoy a range of live, local musicians at each of the three activity areas including:

Saturday, August 10th 84 Hurontario
North Hurontario
PromenadeHarbourview Park
North Birch Street10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.The Jazz DuoSydney Riley 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.Bryson ClelandKendall LilyRed Hot Stove Pipe Band1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.Motes & OatsScott RobinsonRed Hot Stove Pipe Band
Sunday, August 11th 84 HurontarioNorth Hurontario
PromenadeHarbourview Park
North Birch Street10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.Sydney RileyMotes & Oats 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.Lola EdenWyatt MacraeRed Hot Stove Pipe Band1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.Vokal LegenBryson ClelandRed Hot Stove Pipe Band

Food Tour Experience
Saturday, August 10 & Sunday, August 11, Various times
Indulge in a variety of flavours as you walk, sip and taste your way through some of the best eateries and shops in southern Georgian Bay. Collingwood is a world-class tourist destination with many diverse restaurants that boast progressive menus featuring local ingredients.
To book a tour visit www.collingwoodfoodtours.com.

Free Live Concerts
As the sun sets, attendees are invited to gather at the beautiful waterfront Shipyards Amphitheatre, North Maple Street, for a spectacular finale: a free concert under the evening sky. On Saturday, August 10th enjoy headliner band Fiddlestix and on Sunday, August 11th Freedom Train returns for a spectacular evening of music. Both concerts open with DJ Thirdlife at 6:00 p.m. Bring your lawn chair or blanket to this picturesque setting which provides the perfect backdrop to unwind and enjoy live music performances, celebrating the culmination of Sidelaunch Days 2024
Join us for a weekend of festivities that capture the essence of Collingwood’s maritime charm and community spirit. Sidelaunch Days 2024 promises to be an unforgettable experience for all.

Sidelaunch Days is presented by the Town of Collingwood with generous support from Collingwood Downtown, Side Launch Brewing Company, Ontario SUP Series, BluWave SUP, FRAM + Slokker, Collingwood Quay Condos, Living Water Resorts & Spa, Greenland International Consulting Ltd., and Devonleigh Homes. Funding is provided by the Government of Ontario.For more information and updates, visit www.sidelaunchdays.ca or follow us on Facebook @experiencecollingwood and on Instagram @experience.collingwood.

About Sidelaunch Days
Sidelaunch Days is an annual festival in Collingwood, Ontario, celebrating the shipbuilding heritage and historical waterfront. Sidelaunch honours the unique method of launching ships used at the Collingwood Shipyards. Learn more by visiting the Collingwood Museum at 45 St. Paul Street. The event offers free activities and entertainment for all ages, encouraging community engagement and celebrating the beauty of South Georgian Bay.

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Sidelaunch Days 2024: Celebrating Collingwood’s Waterfront and Shipbuilding History

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