FESTIVAL OF SUMMER FUN

Sidelaunch Days Events and Activities
August 10-11, 2024

Collingwood Charters

Collingwood Charters

Date: August 9th, 10th & 11th
Time: See below for details
Location: Side Launch Basin
Cost: Varies

Aside from our regular sightseeing and sunset tours we also offer a variety of entertainment cruises.

Throughout the season we will be featuring some amazing local musicians, delicious local restaurants, different themed tours and holiday weekend specials.

Visit our website at www.collingwoodcharters.ca

Our proposed schedule is :
Friday 1p.m. & 7:30p.m. (possibly a 3p.m.)
Saturday 1 – 4p.m. and 6:30-9p.m. (to be confirmed)
Sunday 1p.m. & 6:30p.m. (as of now)

Collingwood Museum

Collingwood Museum
45 St. Paul St

Date: Saturday, August 10th
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Launch Day Exhibit
Cost:  Admission by donation

Learn more about Collingwood’s shipbuilding heritage through the Collingwood Museum’s exhibit entitled Launch Day. The exhibit focuses specifically on Collingwood’s most photographed and cherished event – the side launch. The exhibit explores the history of shipbuilding in Collingwood a century long tradition that saw more than 200 steel ships plunge sideways into the harbour. Collingwood’s shipyard was one of the last to perform the traditional side launch in Canada. With a small and shallow harbour, side launching was a dramatic solution to this spatial challenge. Visitors to the exhibit will experience what it was like to watch, along with thousands of spectators, as five-storey high steel vessels crash into the water below. Presented in partnership with the Collingwood Museum.

tic tac dunk giant basketball game

Tic Tac Dunk

Date: Saturday, August 10th
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Parkette (84 Hurontario Street)
Cost: Free

A remix of Tic Tac Toe and Basketball. Two teams compete against each other with x-balls and o-balls. Complete a line as quickly as possible and beat the opposing team.

Collingwood Brewery

Date: Saturday, August 10th
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Parkette (84 Hurontario Street)
Cost:  Beverages and food items for purchase

Enjoy a cold beverage from Collingwood’s own Collingwood Brewery and a tasty snack from a local food provider.

Presented by: Collingwood Brewery

Team K9

Team K9 Dog Show

Date: August 10th & 11th
Time: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Location: Harbourview Park & N. Birch Street
Cost: Free

30-minute shows.

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.

Fiddlestix

DJ Thirdlife & Fiddlestix

Date: Saturday, August 10th
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Shipyards Amphitheatre, 2 North Maple Street
Cost: Free

Generously sponsored by: FRAM + Slokker and Collingwood Quay Condo, Living Waters Resorts

2024 Lighthouse Legends

Lighthouse Legends

Date: August 10th & 11th
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Multiple
Cost:  Free

Dive into Collingwood’s rich maritime history as you discover Lighthouse Legends – a series of heritage panels featuring captivating photos and tales from the iconic Nottawasaga Lighthouse, a steadfast witness to over 160 years of Collingwood’s harbour. Perfect for families, this self-guided activity blends fun with education. Don’t miss out—explore the stories and images scattered throughout the festival as you move between activities!

Red Hot Stove Pipe Band

Date: August 10th & 11th
Time: 12:00pm & 2:00 pm
Location: N. Birch Street
Cost: Free

Enjoy the rich sound of traditional Metis music and step dancing as well as songs reaching from Newfoundland to the Bayou. The Red Hot Stove Pipe Band is a 5-piece band with dancers/cloggers that  plays music that people remember and enjoy. Dancing is welcomed and encouraged.

SUP Races & Demos

DJ Thirdlife & Freedom Train

Date: Sunday, August 11th
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Shipyards Amphitheatre, 2 North Maple Street
Cost: Free

Generously sponsored by: FRAM + Slokker and Collingwood Quay Condos, Living Water Resorts & Spa

lighthouse boat 1910

Georgian Bay Heritage & Canadian Museum of Water

Date: August 10th & 11th
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Harbourview Park & N. Birch Street
Cost: Free

Explore the historic Watts boats including the 1901 John Watts Junior, 1910 Watts Lighthouse Boat and 1920 Watts Row Boat. 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.

Courtesy Cart Service

Date: August 10th & 11th
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Travel between North Hurontario Promenade and Harbourview. 
Cost:  Free

For those needing a little extra assistance, flag down the 8-seater courtesy cart for a complimentary ride between Harbourview Park and the Promenade. Courtesy Carts do not have a fixed schedule but instead will operate on an as needed and where needed basis. Follow Promenade Map.

Launch Station

Date: August 10th & 11th
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Harbourview Park
Cost:  Free while supplies last

Pick-up a complimentary wooden boat craft kit, assemble your vessel and set sail at our mini launch station.

Children's Launch Passport

Date: August 10th & 11th
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Parkette (84 Hurontario Street), North Hurontario, Harbourview Park, N. Birch Street
Cost:  Free

The Shipbuilder Challenge invites families to explore the history of the Collingwood Shipyards through a unique sticker book activity. Collect stickers at locations marked by white hardhats, honouring the heritage of the hardworking shipbuilders. Each sticker represents a crucial trade or component of shipbuilding. The adventure culminates at the Launch Station, where children build and launch their crafted boats. Collect each sticker on your journey to launching your boat and earn an exclusive sticker reward for your efforts. Embark on the Shipbuilder Challenge and become part of the shipyard’s legacy! Pick-up your Children’s Launch Passport at any of our three key activity zone and watch for the white hardhats as you explore Sidelaunch Days.

SUP Races & Demos

Free Kayaking & SUP Boarding

Date: August 10th & 11th
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: N. Birch Street
Cost: Free

Give kayaking and stand up paddle boarding (SUP) a try with complimentary rentals from Little Ed’s Harbourview Rentals. Take advantage of this free opportunity to get out on the water and explore a new activity. Signed waivers and a credit card (no charge) required to borrow equipment.

Presented in partnership with Little Ed’s Harbourview Rentals.

Sessions are 30 minutes and will require a signed waiver.
Participants must be 18 or older OR must be at least 16 years with an adult.
Personal floatation devices are provided by Harbourview Rentals and must fit, no personal PFDs are  permitted.

SUP Nationals & World's SUP Championships Qualifier

Date:  August 10th & 11th
Time: See below descriptions for information
Location: Sidelaunch Basin

Cost: Free for Spectators

The Ontario SUP Race Series is a competitive and fun event series for the sport of stand up paddle boarding (SUP) in Ontario. For 2024, we are beyond excited to announce that the Sidelaunch Challenge has been selected as the Canadian Team National Qualification event for the ISA World Championships happening in Copenhagen, Denmark September 15-18, 2024.
Register to compete @ www.ontariosupseries.com
Or take in the excitement from the Promenade cheering on your favorite racers! Times are subject to change according to weather conditions

Friday, August 9
7-8:30 pm Social Paddle, launching from Harbourview Park at the end of Birch Street. All local racers and those travelling to the area on Friday are welcome to join for a casual social paddle in the harbour. On hand will be some of our elite racers sponsored by Blu Wave SUP and Starboard who will be available for some informal instruction and racing strategy tips. Friends and family are encouraged to join the social paddle along with racers from all categories. No pre-registration required.

Saturday, August 10
11:00 am Technical Races
1:00 pm Kids Race – 1 km
2:30 pm Sprint Races

Sunday, August 11
9:00 am Distance Race (Open 10 km, Elite 20 km). Open and elite will be started in waves with elite racers starting first.
12:30 pm Awards

Presented in partnership with Ontario SUP Series and Blu Wave SUP

blu wave SUP Surfcanada Nationals

 

Tall Ship Dockside Tours

Date: August 10th & 11th
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Sidelaunch Basin
Cost: Donations are accepted and appreciated.

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.

 

Food Tour Experience

Date: August 10th & 11th
Time: Booking Required
Location: Information – North Hurontario
Cost:  Subject to Food Tour

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 a large number of restaurants that boast progressive menus featuring local ingredients.

To book a tour visit www.collingwoodfoodtours.com.

Information & Exploration Booth

Date: August 10th & 11th
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: 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 surrounding lands.

Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA)
NVCA is a not-for-profit organization, mandated to ensure the conservation, restoration and responsible management of Ontario’s water, land and natural habitats through programs that balance human, environmental and economic needs.

Blue Mountain Watershed Trust
The Blue Mountain Watershed Trust works to protect and enhance the Blue Mountains watershed ecosystem through direct action, advocacy and education.

Side Launch Brewing Dockside Bar

Side Launch Brewing & Food Dockside Bar

Date: August 10th & 11th
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 
Location: Sidelaunch Basin & North Hurontario
Cost: Beverages and food items for purchase

Enjoy a cold beverage from Collingwood’s own Side Launch Brewing Company and a tasty snack from a local food provider.

Presented by: Side Launch Brewing Company

Res-Q-Me Giant Battleship

Date: August 10th & 11th
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: North Hurontario
Cost:  Free

A combination of dodgeball and battleship. Toss your buoys to the other side of the wall to rescue the sailors. The host has to tell if you missed or hit and will place a marker on the map. The first team to reach all of the boats on the other side wins the game.

Volleypong

Date: Sunday, August 11th
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Parkette (84 Hurontario Street)
Cost:  Free

Take turns throwing the ball into buckets, eliminating those you reach. Cups contain challenges for the losing team to achieve.

Sidelaunch Days Music Stroll

Date: August 10th & 11th
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location:
            • Parkette (84 Hurontario Street)
            • N. Hurontario & at Promenade
            • Federal Building, 44 Hurontario Street
            • N. Birch Street
Cost:  Free

Enjoy live music performances throughout downtown and along the waterfront promenade.

A full schedule of entertainment is provided at end of this page.

Art on the Street

Date: August 10th & 11th
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Parkette (84 Hurontario Street)
Cost:  Free

Art on the Street is an annual outdoor celebration of public art and artists in Downtown Collingwood. It showcases our community spirit through artistic expression and makes our downtown area more vibrant and unique! Best of all…it’s accessible and free for all to enjoy. Again this year the Downtown Collingwood will come alive with several art on the street projects, including 40 Art Banners AND the return of the popular (and comfortable) Art Chairs. This years’ theme celebrates Marine Heritage in honour of the arrival of the Tall Ships to our harbour in August as a celebration of the War of 1812 Bicentennial.

While strolling through Downtown Collingwood you can also enjoy a variety of other public art, from our Heritage murals which showcase the culture of Collingwood, to our four historical Sesquicentennial panels which take you on a journey through our Town’s historical roots from 18,000 years ago to 2008.

Sidelaunch Entertainment Schedule 2024