Launch Day Exhibit
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Collingwood Museum, 45 St. Paul Street
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 crashed into the water below.
Presented in partnership with: The Collingwood Museum
Queen M and Kirk Diamond in Concert
Date: Saturday, August 12th
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Shipyards Amphitheatre, 2 North Maple Street
Cost: Free. Food and beverages onsite to purchase
Queen M, with their Neo soul mixed with vintage Motown and Reggae influences, takes the stage at 7:00 pm, followed by Juno-award-winning reggae musician Kirk Diamond at 8:00 pm. This concert is part of the Collingwood Live & Original Summer Concert Series.
Presented in partnership with: Side Launch Brewing Company
Generously sponsored by: Fram+Slokker and Collingwood Quay Condos, Living Water Resorts, and Streetcar Developments.
Sidelaunch Days Drone Show
Date: Saturday, August 12th
Time: 9:30 p.m.
Location: Shipyards Amphitheatre is the recommended viewing location. It will be possible to view the Drone Show from anywhere along the shoreline between Harbourview Park and Heritage Drive however images created by the drones will be impacted the further east or west of the Shipyards Amphitheatre the viewer is located.
Cost: Free
Two-hundred drones will create colourful images in the sky over the harbour. The theme of the Sidelaunch Days Drone Show is Collingwood Harbour’s industrial past.
Presented by: Collingwood Downtown
Activity Play Station
Date: Saturday, August 12th and Sunday, August 13th
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Harbourview Park Rugby Field, End of Birch Street North
Cost: Free
Self-directed fun and games for all ages including Corn Hole, Giant Jenga, Connect Four, Pick-up-Sticks, and the family favourite, Blue Blocks.
Information & Exploration Booth
Date: Saturday, August 12th and Sunday, August 13th
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Waterfront Promenade
Cost: Free
Water is life. Explore Indigenous teachings and perspectives on water following the list of resources and children’s books available. Take time to add a drawing or words to the mural table.
While here, pick up your Sidelaunch Days Scavenger Hunt! Then keep watch while you stroll the waterfront, spotting special points of interest along the way. Be sure to return when you’re done and pick up a prize while supplies last. Not your style? Use the Discover Collingwood App to take a self-guided Harbour Hike! The Information & Exploration Booth is also your source for the official Sidelaunch Days schedule and event map.
Ontario SUP Series Races - Side Launch Challenge
Date: Saturday, August 12th – Sunday, August 13th
Location: Side Launch Basin
Cost: Free to 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 2023 we are beyond excited to announce that The Side Launch Challenge has been selected as the Canadian National Team Qualification event for the ISA World Championships, happening in France September 24th – October 1st, 2023. Register to compete at www.ontariosupseries.com or take in the excitement from the Promenade cheering on your favourite racers! Times subject to change according to weather conditions.
Friday, August 11:
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Social Paddle launching from Harbourview Park at the north terminus 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 us for the social paddle, along with racers from all categories. No pre-registration required.
Saturday, August 12:
11:00 a.m. Technical Races
1:00 p.m. Kids Race <1km
2:30 p.m. Sprint Races
Sunday, August 13:
9:00 a.m. Distance Race (Open 12km, Elite 20km)
Open and Elite will be started in waves with Elite racers going off first.
12:30 p.m. Awards
Presented in partnership with: Ontario SUP Series and BluWave SUP
Courtesy Cart Service
Date: Saturday, August 12th and Sunday, August 13th
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Along the waterfront within the event footprint
Cost: Free
For those needing a little extra assistance, flag down the 8-seater Courtesy Cart for a complimentary ride between Sidelaunch Days venues. The Cart does not have an established route or schedule, rather will operate on an as-needed, where-needed basis.
Generously sponsored by: Devonleigh Homes
Tall Ships Dockside Tours
Date & Time:
Saturday, August 12th & Sunday, August 13th
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Sidelaunch Basin
Cost: Free
Description: Hop aboard the TS Playfair and STV Pathfinder for a tour of the ships’ upper and lower decks, meet crew members, and learn about the Brigs Youth Sail Training Program.
Presented in partnership with: Brigs Youth Sail Training
Generously sponsored by: Greenland International Consulting Ltd. and Urban Watershed Group Ltd.
Free Kayaking and SUP Boarding
Date: Saturday, August 12th & Sunday, August 13 th
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Harbourview Park, Westside Dock, Birch Street North
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 charges) required to borrow equipment.
Presented in partnership with: Little Ed’s Harbourview Rentals
Promenade Vendor Walk
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Waterfront Promenade
Cost: Merchandise for purchase
Stroll the waterfront promenade visiting vendors of all kinds featuring treats and treasures for everyone. Be sure to stop by the Town’s booth featuring Collingwood’s Climate Action Specialist Nicole Yardy and staff from Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, sharing information about the importance of stream health. Plus, enter to win a pair of tickets for a Collingwood Charters cruise!
Generously sponsored by: Devonleigh Homes
Side Launch Brewing Dockside Bar
Date:
Saturday, August 12th & Sunday, August 13th
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Waterfront Promenade
Cost: Beverages for purchase
Enjoy a cold beverage on the waterfront from Collingwood’s own Side Launch Brewing Company.
Presented by: Side Launch Brewing Company
Kites Over Collingwood
Date: Sunday, August 13th
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Millennium Park
Cost: Free
Bring your own kite or pick up and decorate a complimentary one on site and enjoy the winds at Millennium. Or just relax and watch the professionals with their colourful array of large-scale kites soaring high above Collingwood Harbour!
Generously sponsored by: Epcor
Magic of Children in the Arts Workshop
Date: Sunday, August 13th
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Promenade
Join Magic of Children in the Arts at our workshop tables – colour, paint and design and celebrate the water we live near, around and on.
Presented by: Magic of Children in the Arts
Graham Trude and Freedom Train in Concert
Date: Sunday, August 13th
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Shipyards Amphitheatre, 2 North Maple Street
Cost: Free
Country/Folk musician, Graham Trude performs from his deeply personal and powerful catalog at 7:00 p.m. Freedom Train follows at 8:00 p.m. Back by popular demand, this power-trio performs at over 200 shows annually on stages including Massey Hall and MGM Grand in Las Vegas, winning audiences with their spin on classic rock, R&B, funk, and reggae. Come celebrate the best timeless classics from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s!
Presented in partnership with: Side Launch Brewing Company
Generously sponsored by: Fram+Slokker and Collingwood Quay Condos, and Living Water Resorts
Printable Schedule of Events
Click to download a printable schedule of events.