In the fall of 1977, Victoria was busy planning festivities for the upcoming bicentenary of Captain Cook’s arrival on Vancouver Island (Nootka Sound, 1778). Unfortunately, a struggling provincial economy meant that arts and culture funding were hard to find. Despite this obstacle, a small group, led by Bob Leach of the Sidney Gaffers and Keith Cameron of the Maritime Museum of BC, led a community-wide campaign to secure funds to build a replica of John Mears’ ship, the Northwest America.
It became clear to the group that corporate funds would be needed to build such a replica, however, not in time for the 1978 Captain Cook bi-centennial. However, this small group was determined to celebrate the bicentennial with a display of some kind. Gaining momentum, the group became inspired by the Wooden Boat Festival that had celebrated its first year in Port Townsend. Under the leadership of Bev Highton, President-elect of the Victoria Real Estate Board (VREB), and former owner of the schooner Lora Doon, the VREB agreed to sponsor the first Victoria Classic Boat Festival