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Restored ship will set sail for America's 250th anniversary
FOX 5 NY's Jodi Goldberg has more.
NEW YORK CITY - Towering ships from around the world are filling New York Harbor, turning the city into the centerpiece of a once-in-a-generation celebration to mark America’s 250th birthday.
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‘Largest ever assembled’
What we know:
New York City will take center stage for the nation’s 250th birthday in 2026, hosting a sweeping international parade of tall sailing ships expected to draw millions and transform the harbor into a floating tribute to America’s past and future.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 31: A view of Downtown Manhattan as seen from the Staten Island Ferry during the fourth phase of the coronavirus reopening on July 20, 2020 in New York, New York. on July 31, 2020 in New York, New York. The fourth phase all …
The July 4th celebration will feature what organizers say will be the largest flotilla of tall ships ever assembled. Vessels from around the world are expected to sail into New York Harbor in a display of maritime history, diplomacy and international goodwill.
What is Sail4th 250?
The event, known as Sail4th 250, builds on similar celebrations held during the nation’s bicentennial in 1976 and its 200th anniversary of George Washington’s inauguration in 1989 and 2000.
View of marchers on Water Street holding placards with portraits of various US presidents during the bicentennial presidential parade, New York, New York, April 30, 1989. Pictured are, from left, Grover Cleveland (partially visible), Chester Arthur, …
Organizers expect more than 6 million visitors to travel to the region, rivaling or surpassing attendance from past milestone events.
The ships coming to New York Harbor
Big picture view:
Confirmed tall ships will represent countries, including:
The US Coast Guard training vessel Eagle passes through the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal en route to the Pacific Ocean in Panama City on April 23, 2025. (Photo by MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP via Getty Images)
- Argentina
- Chile
- Colombia
- The Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- France
- Germany
- India
- Italy
- Monaco
- The Netherlands
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Spain
- Sweden
- Uruguay
- The United Kingdom.
U.S. vessels expected to take part include the USCG Eagle, Harvey Gamage, Elissa, Ernestina Morrissey, Angelique and When and If.
The U.S. Navy also announced the naval vessels expected to anchor in the Hudson River for the International Naval Review, including USS Arlington, USS Kearsarge, USS Iwo Jima, USS Farragut, USS Nitze and USS Jason Dunham.
Allied ships from countries including Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Spain, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, Brazil, Germany, Morocco, Turkey, Peru, Senegal and Cameroon are also expected to participate.
When is Sail250?
Timeline:
The multi-day celebration will run from July 3 through July 8, with the ship parade serving as its centerpiece.
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After sailing past the Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan, many of the vessels will dock for several days, allowing the public to board ships and meet crews from around the globe.
Organizers say the celebration will include:
- 48 tall ships in the International Parade of Sail
- 20 foreign nations represented among the tall ships
- 44 nations represented in New York Harbor
- More than 120 aircraft led by the Blue Angels
- About 15,000 U.S. and foreign sailors in port
- An estimated 6 million spectators along 15 miles of waterfront
- A projected $2.85 billion total economic impact
How to get tickets for Sail4th 250 events
What you can do:
Not only can the public tour some of these vessels for free, but those interested in seeing the Parade of Sails can watch from either their own vessel anchorage or Governors Island.
Tall ship tours
Tours of the tall ships will be available for free, but it is highly recommended that those interested reserve their spots in advance. The ships will be from over 20 different countries.
Spectator vessel anchorages
Registering for a spectator vessel anchorage is also free. Rather than a tour of a vessel, people can enjoy the celebration while out on the water.
Grand review from Governors Island
New Yorkers and visitors alike can also enjoy the Parade of Sails from Governors Island. A ticket for general admission costs $200; tickets for the VIP access are sold out.
Weather forecast
Extreme heat is expected to build across the New York City region ahead of July 4, just as Sail4th 250 prepares to bring tall ships and large crowds to New York Harbor for America’s 250th birthday.
Local perspective:
FOX Weather says a major heat dome will spread dangerous heat across the central and eastern U.S. heading into the Fourth of July holiday.
Temperatures in the 90s are expected to reach the East Coast by midweek, with feels-like temperatures reaching 100 to 110 degrees for tens of millions of people. New York City is among the major East Coast cities expected to see multiple days of high heat.
FOX Weather says temperatures are expected to ease slightly across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast on July 4, but the days leading up to the holiday could still be dangerous for anyone spending long stretches outdoors.
The Source: This article includes previous FOX 5 NY reporting.