PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Delaware River is set to become a grand stage for a historic maritime celebration this fall. U.S. Navy leaders, alongside Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, have officially announced the impressive lineup of Navy and Coast Guard vessels that will sail into the region for the Navy & Marine Corps 250th Celebration. The event, taking place from October 9-16, will mark the historic 250th anniversaries of both the United States Navy and Marine Corps.
PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Delaware River is set to become a grand stage for a historic maritime celebration this fall. U.S. Navy leaders, alongside Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, have officially announced the impressive lineup of Navy and Coast Guard vessels that will sail into the region for the Navy & Marine Corps 250th Celebration. The event, taking place from October 9-16, will mark the historic 250th anniversaries of both the United States Navy and Marine Corps.The festivities will kick off on Wednesday, October 9th, with a spectacular Parade of Ships. Ten vessels will make their way up the Delaware River, creating a stunning visual tribute to the nation's sea services. The fleet will include a diverse mix of modern naval power and training craft:
- USS Arlington, an amphibious transport dock ship
- USS Lassen, a guided missile destroyer
- USS Billings, a littoral combat ship
- USS Cooperstown, a littoral combat ship
- USCG Lawrence Lawson, a fast response cutter
- USCG James Rankin, a buoy tender
- Two USNA MKII 44' midshipmen training sailboats
- Two SNA YP 686-class midshipmen training patrol crafts
Following the parade, the ships will dock at four locations on both sides of the river: Pier 4, Penn’s Landing, Gloucester Main Terminal, and the Camden Waterfront. In a highlight for the public, all visiting Navy vessels will be open for free ship tours daily from October 10th to 15th, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Hosted by Homecoming 250 Navy Marine Corps (Homecoming 250®), the celebration will feature a dynamic series of landmark events throughout the fall. In addition to the ship tours, the public can look forward to:
- An All Veterans Reunion Picnic featuring celebrity Navy veteran Chef Robert Irvine.
- A nationally televised Victory at Sea Concert with The U.S. Navy Band and the Commandant’s Own United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps, culminating in a fireworks display.
- A massive Navy & Marine Corps 250th Parade expected to feature over 7,000 participants.
- A Navy 250th Commemoration and Blue Angels Flyover at the historic Independence Hall.
- The Army-Navy Cup, which, for the first time in its 14-year history, will include both men's and women's soccer matches in a marquee doubleheader.
The celebration will continue from November 7th to 11th with events specifically honoring the Marine Corps' 250th birthday, including the 100th Marine Corps Birthday Ball. This series of events solidifies Philadelphia's central role in celebrating the history and heritage of the nation's maritime services.
