MOUNTAIN LIFE - Blue Mountains | Summer 2018

32 ML BLUE SUMMER 2018 Sidelaunch Days MICROTRIPS The Sidelaunch Days Collingwood Harbour Festival is named for the port city’s shipbuilding heritage—back in the day, new ships were launched sideways into the harbour and it always drew a big crowd. Today, big crowds attend the annual 2-day multi-venue, multi-recreational, free family event known as Sidelaunch Days, celebrating the joy of being in, on and around the water. It is clear that the Collingwood harbour is fully revitalized when you see the scope of this festival. The ever-growing Ontario Summer Splash SUP Race Series stops here, featuring demos and races through the harbour. Other activities include: free kayak, canoe and sailing tryouts, a kids activity zone, Kites over Collingwood, two Amphitheatre concerts, and an eats, treats and art vendor promenade. New this year, presented by the Georgian College Centre for Marine Training and Research, is an interactive watercraft simulator with programs to let you sail a Great Lakes freighter—including those that used to 'Sidelaunch' into Collingwood harbour—or a ferry like the Chi-Cheemaun. Also new and exciting is the water rescue/safety and flares demonstration, one performance only on Sunday at 10:30am. DIY: Sidelaunch Days happens August 11-12. Check the full lineup at sidelaunchdays.ca 11 DAVE WEST PHOTOGRAPHY