The First Edition Is a Fabulous Success! Tall Ships on the Quays - A new
annual event confirmed on the Quays of the Old Port of Montréal!

MONTREAL, Sept. 20 /CNW Telbec/ - The first edition of The Tall Ships on the Quays closed yesterday, after exceeding all expectations and delighting Montrealers and organizers alike. Over the three days of the event, the Tall Ships on the Quays attracted an impressive total of more than 150,000 people.

"The Tall Ships on the Quays was the high point of a festive and varied summer season on the Quays of the Old Port," noted Claude Benoit, President and CEO of the Old Port of Montréal Corporation. "The wonderful success of this weekend is sure to be an inspiration for the second edition, next year. A new Montréal tradition has been born! Montréal is a city with a long and rich maritime history and heritage, and we are especially proud to have created this new event that fits in so well with the mission of the Old Port of Montréal Corporation."

The authentic maritime celebration, produced by the Quays of the Old Port of Montréal, brought together five prestigious tall ships in Montréal for the first time, with their exciting histories and tales of adventure: the Roald Amundsen, the Unicorn, the Lynx, the Pride of Baltimore II and, of course, the indubitable star of the event, the famous Bounty! All weekend long, the Jacques Cartier Quay was turned into a true "Maritime Village," featuring all kinds of artists and activities.

The parade of the ships as they arrived, marked by a cannon salute on Thursday evening, was followed by three fun-filled days. Saturday was the busiest overall. That evening saw several highlights of the event, with the show by writer-composer-performer Wilfred Le Bouthillier, spokesperson for the event, followed by a stupendous musical fireworks show on the St. Lawrence. It was like a magical wind was blowing happiness and smiles over the Quays of the Old Port during the whole celebration!

"The Tall Ships on the Quays was the first time I had lent my name to an event," said Wilfred Le Bouthillier. "I am a fisherman's son, and I grew up next to the sea. For me, sailing ships are some of the most beautiful things in the world. They represent freedom, the powerful wind, and harmony with nature."

Tall Ships on the Quays partners
The Quays of the Old Port wish to acknowledge the contribution of their partners in the production of the Tall Ships on the Quays event: Unibroue, Aquafina Plus+, TELUS, Van Houtte and the Canadian Wildlife Federation, and the participation of the SDC Vieux-Montréal and the Société de transport de Montréal (STM).

The Quays of the Old Port of Montréal were a very popular place in 2010
Now that the summer is drawing to a close, the Quays of the Old Port are happy to report that they had a very good season. From May to August 2010, the Quays saw their attendance rise by 11% over 2009. Tourists, mainly from the rest of Quebec and from the United States, were back in force.

Moreover, the Quays of the Old Port were delighted to be named the top tourist attraction in 2009 by the Société des attractions touristiques du Québec: hardly a coincidence.

The Quays of the Old Port de Montréal: a powerful economic engine
With over 5.5 million visitors annually, the Quays of the Old Port play an important role in Montréal's economy and are a powerful tourist attraction. The Old Port of Montréal Corporation, manager of the Quays, is committed to promoting the Quays as an essential Montréal destination, with a highly varied and original line-up of events reflecting Montréal's own personality.

The Quays of the Old Port wish to thank their main partner, the Government of Canada, their sponsors Sleeman, Pepsi and Telus, and their official environmental partner, the Canadian Wildlife Federation.

For further information:

Julie Mailhot
Media Relations
Office: 514.283.8085
Cell: 514.838.4524
Old Port of Montréal Corporation,
Manager of the Montréal Science Centre and the Quays of the Old Port of Montréal
[email protected]    | www.montrealsciencecentre.com | www.quaysoftheoldport.com