History is shining on Boston Harbor after a magnificent parade celebrating America’s 250th anniversary brought thousands of spectators to the waterfront to welcome the maritime world descending upon the city.
People of all ages from around the globe flocked to Castle Island on Saturday, basking in the bright and pleasant summer sunshine, to greet over 60 international tall ships and military vessels that will call Boston home for at least the next few days.
Southie resident Liam Russell attended the Parade of Sail with his toddler son and wife, watching the carnival of boats turn his neighborhood playground into a massive celebration of national pride and what he described as a “microcosm of unity.”
“They’re coming from all over the place, and they’re coming here,” Russell told the Herald. “It kind of just reinforces this melting pot atmosphere that Boston has and has had for a while.”
Deep in the Harbor, just before 9 a.m., tall ships assembled, positioning themselves behind the US Coast Guard’s Cutter Eagle, a 295-foot, three-masted steel barque and the only active square-rigger in federal service.
“Seeing that so much history of the world and this country is here,” Coast Guard Petty Officer Lyric Jackson told the Herald, “it is very special knowing that the Eagle is coming home.”
Small pleasure boats darted in and out for close-ups with the inspiring ships, as police boats kept them at a safe distance. A powerful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner commenced the historic parade of boats, as the American flag blew gently in the wind.
The scene resembled a choreography on the waves.
After the USS Constitution — the world’s oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat — sailed both ways across Castle Island to kick off the parade, over 60 ships and boats representing more than 20 countries followed.
The grand caravan started at 9 a.m. and lasted deep into the afternoon, finishing around 4 p.m. Some ships welcomed spectators aboard in the late afternoon and an evening — an opportunity available through Wednesday night.
To name a few: Germany’s Gorch Fock, India’s Sudarshini and Portugal’s Sagres are docked at the Boston Fish Pier. The two largest vessels — Peru’s Union and Chile’s Esmeralda are stationed at the Commonwealth Pier.
The Charlestown Navy Yard, Fan Pier, Rowes Whar and the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal are also berthing ships, welcoming visitors to experience maritime history in educational programming and cultural exchange.
Saturday’s celebration was a culmination of years of planning.
For Mike Peretti and his wife, Julie, they couldn’t turn down the opportunity to see history come alive. They woke up at 4 a.m. at their Berkshire County home and drove across the Bay State — a trip well worth it.
“It’s the coming together of the world without politics,” Mike Peretti said. “It’s a beautiful thing.”
Julie added that Sail Boston 2026 builds on the unifying spirit that has awakened in Massachusetts this summer, starting with the month-long World Cup festival in the region.
“It’s been great, very peaceful,” Trang Tran, of Quincy, told the Herald, smiling, as she took in the historic day with her family.
Not only is a powerful sense of Bostonian and American pride alive this summer, the Hub and region are in the midst of a gigantic economic boom.
Sullivan’s Castle Island reaped the rewards on Saturday, with thousands of spectators filling the hotbed eatery from the morning through the afternoon.
Dozens of workers took orders of hot dogs, lobster rolls and french fries, while others served the meals along with waters and sodas for the masses to stay cool on the hot day.
When asked how this day compared to others, a worker emphasized to the Herald that it was the busiest ever.
Sail Boston Executive Director Dusty Rhodes called the day “spectacular” and said she’s looking forward to entire week of fun and the “creation of core memories for so many families.”
“There is absolutely nothing like watching these majestic ships sail into Boston Harbor and be enthusiastically welcomed by so many people,” Rhodes said in a statement shared with the Herald. “To look out and see the boats, the waterfront, the parks filled with pure joy, excitement, and a shared sense of wonder, was gratifying.”
A patriotic fireworks display lit up the night sky on Saturday, with another scheduled for Wednesday at 9:15 p.m.
The festivities will continue throughout the week with interactive events across the city, including public boarding of ships from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m..
On Monday, a crew and cadet street parade will march from Leader Bank Pavilion to Christopher Columbus Park between 12 and 2 p.m.
On Tuesday at 10 a.m., Navy ship crews and cadets will face off in a soccer tournament in East Boston.
Meanwhile, visitors at the Charlestown Navy Yard can witness sailors working the sails and catch live exhibitions of gun and pipe drills all week long.
The special event is a homecoming for Evan Sternstein, a Navy air chief aboard the USS Arlington, an amphibious transport dock ship.
Sternstein grew up in Brookline and studied international relations at Boston University before commission into the Navy in May 2016.
“I have been hyping up this city,” Sternstein told the Herald.
“Coming to Boston is bringing it full circle back to where it all began,” he added, with a special nod to the first shots of the Revolutionary War.
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