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Breathtaking aerial views, profiles of visiting ships and interviews with captains bring the Tall Ships Festival held in Richmond BC Canada back to life in this enchanting and educational documentary. A look into the history of Steveston, a quaint fishing village in Richmond, and the salmon boom of the early 1900’s is an added treat.
 An estimated 400,000 spectators lined the shores of the Fraser River to witness the arrival of more than 20 classic sailing ships from Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the U.S. and U.S. Virgin Islands for the 2002 Tall Ships Festival held in the historic fishing village of Steveston, British Columbia. Filled with breathtaking aerial views and profiles of the magnificent vessels, Beauty of the Sails captures the spectacular sights and sounds of this five day event and the glory days of maritime heritage.
Just as their predecessors came down the mouth of the Fraser from Sand Heads to Cannery Row a century ago to load precious cargoes of Pacific salmon for international markets, this program opens with the tall ships sailing past Garry Point Park on their way to anchor. Led by the historic 92' Canadian schooner Maple Leaf, the stunning Parade of Sails is followed by a brief history of Steveston and the salmon boom of the early 1900s, including visits to several maritime heritage sites such as the Gulf of Georgia Cannery and the Britannia Heritage Ship Yards.  
 Perhaps even more fascinating is the opportunity to climb aboard some of the incredible ships that participated in the festival, including the 367' four mast barque Nippon Maru from Japan, and hear captains from around the world speak about their univeral passion for sailing. It is their uniqe and awe-inspiring stories of commanding the "original skyscrapers" in the 21st century that offer a true glimpse of the spirit of sailing.
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