An international parade of ships will sail into Baltimore on June 13 for Star-Spangled Sailabration, the national launch of the three-year commemoration by the U.S. Navy and the State of Maryland of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the penning of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Star-Spangled Sailabration features seven days of free entertainment including ship tours, a Blue Angels air show, patriotic fireworks, memorial ceremonies and much more.

More than two dozen ships including U.S. Navy, British and Canadian warships and tall ships from countries including Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States are expected to flank Baltimore’s famed Inner Harbor during Star-Spangled Sailabration. Both the tall ships and naval vessels will offer free, daily tours from June 14 – June 18.

Other highlights of the festival include:

• A Star-Spangled Air Show featuring the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, on Saturday, June 16, and Sunday, June 17
• The Celebration of the American Flag event at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine on Saturday, June 16, complete with fireworks and concerts
• A Star-Spangled Festival at Martin State Airport featuring U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine and U.S. Coast Guard aircraft on display along with autograph opportunities with the Blue Angels pilots on Saturday, June 16, and Sunday, June 17
• A concert featuring the premiere of a new symphonic work on Sunday, June 17 at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall

Some of the war’s greatest artifacts can be found in Baltimore, with more than 10 sites boasting a direct tie to the War of 1812. The Maryland Historical Society’s With Broad Stripes and Bright Stars exhibit focuses on the “Rock Stars” of the War of 1812 and gives visitors a glimpse of the original version of Francis Scott Key’s manuscript of “Defence of Fort M’Henry,” which would later become our national anthem. The society will open a special new exhibit also dedicated to the “second war of independence” on June 10, just in time for Sailabration.

The festival winds down with the official 200th anniversary of the Declaration of War on Great Britain event and a celebration of two centuries of peace on June 18 followed by the Parade of Sail departure on June 19.

For more information on the event schedule, to reserve a hotel room or to purchase official merchandise, visit www.starspangled200.com. For more information on the national commemoration by the U.S. Navy, visit www.OurFlagWasStillThere.org. For more information about the tall ships 2012 tour, visit www.OpSail.org.

Star-Spangled Sailabration is just the start of Baltimore and the State of Maryland’s bicentennial experiences. Over the next three years numerous 1812 experiences will be available to visitors including water and land tours, historical re-enactments, educational symposiums, special exhibitions and ticketing packages. For the latest updates on these events visit www.StarSpangledBaltimore.com.

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