NEW YORK (WABC) — Dozens of small ships will sail down the East River on Friday as New York City gets a preview of this weekend’s big maritime celebration in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.
The small ship parade is the lead-up to Saturday’s “Sail4th 250” event, which is expected to draw large crowds to the city’s waterfront.
Several participating ships, known as Class B tall ships, have arrived in New York Harbor over the past few days. Although they are smaller than the tall ships featured in Saturday’s main event, they will provide viewers an early look at the historic fleet.
The parade will travel south along the East River on Friday before the larger celebration begins on Saturday.
The Sail4th 250 is scheduled to begin Saturday at 7 a.m., with ships sailing north on the Hudson River from the Verrazano Narrows Bridge to the George Washington Bridge.
Military ships stationed in New York Harbor will review the offer. The Vice President of the United States and Acting Secretary of the Navy are expected to observe the procession aboard the USS Kearsarge (LHD-3).
The event is expected to attract thousands of spectators as New York joins the national celebration of the country’s semi-centennial.
Anyone planning to watch Friday’s parade of small ships along the East River will not need to pass through security checks. However, officials say security checkpoints and screenings will be placed at designated viewing areas during Saturday’s Sail4th 250 celebrations along the Hudson River.
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