Sarnia council has embraced a request to participate in a future Tall Ships Challenge.
Council agreed to sign a "Port Organizer Agreement" with the American Sail Training Association for the event from August 8 to 12, 2019.
Councillor Bev MacDougall recalled previous visits by the majestic boats.
"I took one picture of a historic ship, docked at the base of the Seaway building in the downtown, and it is a marked image in my mind now, of our past married to our future moving forward," MacDougall said. "It will be a good festival and it will be a good time for our people."
The city will earmark $40,000 toward the festival, but council is hopeful other agencies and sponsors will help offset those costs.
"I think it's a good investment," said Councillor Brian White. "I appreciate the history of them. The attraction that they are, and the fact that even the report speaks to upwards of around 100,000 people and that no other market within a two hour drive of here would have this event, I think provides a phenomenal opportunity for this city."
White believes it will be well worth the work and the event will be a great opportunity to celebrate Sarnia's maritime history.
