PHILADELPHIA, PA — Philadelphia will take center stage this fall as the official host of the Navy and Marine Corps 250th Celebration, a once-in-a-lifetime national commemoration of the founding of America’s maritime forces. From October 9 to 16, the city and its neighboring Camden County, New Jersey, will welcome thousands of visitors for a slate of ship tours, concerts, parades, flyovers, and community events, with additional programming scheduled from November 7 to 11.
Designated by both branches as the nation’s official anniversary commemoration, the event is billed as the largest military tribute of America’s Semiquincentennial. Highlights include the October 9 Parade of Ships, bringing Navy and Coast Guard vessels up the Delaware River, followed by free public ship tours through October 15. The lineup features the USS Arlington, USS Lassen, USS Billings, USS Cooperstown, and multiple Coast Guard cutters.
Entertainment and tributes will punctuate the week. The All Veterans Reunion Picnic on October 12 at Independence Mall will feature celebrity chef and British Royal Navy veteran Robert Irvine judging food competitions. That evening, actor and Marine Corps veteran Rob Riggle will host the “Victory at Sea” Concert, headlined by the U.S. Navy Band and the U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps, capped with fireworks.
Other major moments include a live naval expeditionary demonstration on the Delaware River with aircraft flyovers, live explosives, and real-time narration, and a Navy 250 Gala at the National Constitution Center. On October 13, the Navy’s official anniversary, Independence Hall will serve as the backdrop for a parade, a formal commemoration ceremony, and a Blue Angels flyover.
Homecoming 250, the nonprofit leading the event, emphasized the scope and scale of the commemoration. “With incredible talent and military resources joining us, the Navy & Marine Corps 250th is shaping up to be an unforgettable tribute, honoring the courage, dedication, and service of our maritime forces,” said George Leone, president of Homecoming 250.
In November, programming will shift focus to the Marine Corps’ 250th, featuring a ceremony at the gravesite of the first Commandant, a commemoration at Independence Hall, and the 100th Marine Corps Birthday Ball at the Bellevue Hotel—held in the same ballroom as the inaugural event a century ago.
Museum exhibitions across Philadelphia and Camden will complement the celebration, showcasing naval history, shipbuilding, and the role of the maritime forces in the nation’s development.
The Navy and Marine Corps 250th Celebration is free to the public for most events, with select galas, screenings, and matches requiring tickets. Full details and schedules are available at Homecoming250.org.
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