Event Details

Water’s Edge Festival & Events (WEFE) was incorporated in 2011 with the mandate to organize the annual Redpath Waterfront Festival in Toronto. Their objectives include: producing exceptional family festivals; providing a strong economic impact for Toronto and Ontario; and building strategic partnerships locally, regionally and nationally.

This application is for “Tall Ships Challenge - Great Lakes Series”, taking place from June 20 to August 17, 2025, in Brockville, Toronto, and Midland. Every three years a fleet of tall ships sail into the Great Lakes as part of the Tall Ships Challenge (TSC) Series. This event is a race that travels throughout the Great Lakes, visiting cities in Canada and the U.S. The Ontario ports will host a fleet of international tall ships, offering public tours and immersive on-land nautical programming. These Ontario festivals will celebrate the cultural heritage of the visiting ships with themed entertainment, interactive activities, food vendors, and sponsor activations.

Programming includes:

(1) Brockville (June 20-22 at waterfront parks including Centeen, Blockhouse Island, Hardy, and Centennial Parks): (i) tall ships and sailing vessels deck tours and sail aways; (ii) live music and performances by local theatre groups and Indigenous artists; (iii) beer garden; (iv) kids' programming; and (v) educational activities about maritime heritage and the region's history;

(2) Toronto Waterfront Festival (June 28-29 at Sugar Beach and Sherbourne Common): (i) features both on-land and on-water Tall Ships programming; (ii) live music; (iii) local food vendors; and (iv) family friendly activities; and

(3) Midland (August 15-17 at Midland Harbour): (i) focus on naval and military history; (ii) performances by local francophone and indigenous groups; (iii) kids activities and a lumber jack show; and (iv) partnerships with the Northern Heat Ribfest and the Midway.