“FraserFest is all about celebrating what we have – as families and communities – as a result of the Fraser River being such a big part of our lives,” said Malkiat Dhami, Chair of the Fraser River Port Authority Board of Directors. “We’re proud of our river, and we want everyone else to be – that’s why we make our activities at FraserFest affordable, fun and educational.”

The Port Authority is sponsoring many events at FraserFest 2004, including fascinating tours of the harbour aboard the paddlewheeler MV Native.  Hourly sailings take place between 10 am and 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine.  Tickets ($5/adults, $2/children) can be purchased next to the vessel on the day of sailing.  Proceeds from the tours will go to educational programs in the community that provide children and youth with opportunities to learn about the marine environment and waterborne commerce.

One of the festival’s most popular events for children is the free model boat building at the Port Authority’s tent at the west end of the festival site, between 11 am and 3 pm on Saturday and Sunday.  Each year, thousands of aspiring shipbuilders come to build their own wooden boats and learn about the Port, its vessels, and their cargoes.

The Port Authority is also a proud sponsor of the Arts Council of New Westminster’s free hat-making workshops for children.

The grand finale of the three-day celebration will be a workboat parade along the river in front of the New Westminster Quay, featuring many of the Fraser River’s working vessels.  The parade will take place at 3 pm on Sunday, led by the Port Authority’s patrol vessel, Port Fraser.

This year marks the return of the popular workboat parade. Previous years had seen long parades down the Fraser. Last year the event was cancelled due to the rising operating expenses faced by workboat operators. The solution to facilitating this year’s parade came from the operators themselves, who suggested shortening the route so that they could participate.