Spectators along the Camden waterfront watch the tall ship When and If during the Parade of Sail along the Delaware River to kick off Sail Philadelphia 2018, Thursday, May 24, 2018.

Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

Thousands of spectators lined the banks on both sides of the Delaware River Thursday afternoon to watch nearly a dozen tall ships take part in the majestic Parade of Sail, the kickoff to Sail Philadelphia 2018.

One by one the tall ships made their way up the river past the Battleship New Jersey, which fired a gun as each ship passed by, on their way to Penn's Landing, where they will be docked for the weekend.

The festival, which runs through May 28, will feature 11 tall ships, including New Jersey’s official tall ship the A.J. Meerwald, Delaware’s Kalmar Nyckel, and from Newport R.I., the Oliver Hazard Perry, the first oceangoing full-rigged ship built in the United States in 110 years.

Walking on the Camden side of the river, Bonnie Halda, of Philadelphia, stopped to watch the ships pass by the Battleship New Jersey.

"Beautiful day to watch the sailboats come up the river," said Halda, who believes it is important to have these types of events to show off the maritime history of Camden and Philadelphia.

From Friday to Monday, attendees can tour several ships or take a Sail Away cruise.

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Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

The tall ship Kalmar Nyckel sails past Penn's Landing during the Parade of Sail along the Delaware River to kick off Sail Philadelphia 2018, Thursday, May 24, 2018.

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Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

The tall ship Oliver Hazard Perry sails past the Philadelphia skyline during the Parade of Sail along the Delaware River to kick off Sail Philadelphia 2018, Thursday, May 24, 2018.

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Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

The North Wind sails past the Oliver Hazard Perry during the Parade of Sail along the Delaware River to kick off Sail Philadelphia 2018, Thursday, May 24, 2018.

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Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

The tall ship When and If sails past the Battleship New Jersey during the Parade of Sail along the Delaware River to kick off Sail Philadelphia 2018, Thursday, May 24, 2018.

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Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

The Sagres sails past the Battleship New Jersey during the Parade of Sail along the Delaware River to kick off Sail Philadelphia 2018, Thursday, May 24, 2018.

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Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

The tall ship When and If sails in the Parade of Sail along the Delaware River to kick off Sail Philadelphia 2018, Thursday, May 24, 2018.

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Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

The tall ship Thomas E. Lannon sails past Penn's Landing during the Parade of Sail along the Delaware River to kick off Sail Philadelphia 2018, Thursday, May 24, 2018.

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Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

The tall ship America 2.0 and When and If sail near the Ben Franklin Bridge during the Parade of Sail along the Delaware River to kick off Sail Philadelphia 2018, Thursday, May 24, 2018.

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Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

The tall ship America 2.0 sails past the Philadelphia skyline during the Parade of Sail along the Delaware River to kick off Sail Philadelphia 2018, Thursday, May 24, 2018.

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Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

Willis Gray, of Long Beach Island, watchs the Parade of Sail along the Delaware River to kick off Sail Philadelphia 2018, Thursday, May 24, 2018.

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Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

The tall ship Lynx sails past The Spirit of Philadelphia during the Parade of Sail along the Delaware River to kick off Sail Philadelphia 2018, Thursday, May 24, 2018.

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Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

Spectators along the Camden waterfront watch the Parade of Sail along the Delaware River to kick off Sail Philadelphia 2018, Thursday, May 24, 2018.

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Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

The tall ship Kalmar Nyckel sails past Penn's Landing during the Parade of Sail along the Delaware River to kick off Sail Philadelphia 2018, Thursday, May 24, 2018.

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Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

Spectators along the Camden waterfront watch the Parade of Sail along the Delaware River to kick off Sail Philadelphia 2018, Thursday, May 24, 2018.

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Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

The tall ship A.J. Meerwald sails past Penn's Landing during the Parade of Sail along the Delaware River to kick off Sail Philadelphia 2018, Thursday, May 24, 2018.

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Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

Spectators along the Camden waterfront watch the Parade of Sail along the Delaware River to kick off Sail Philadelphia 2018, Thursday, May 24, 2018.

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Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

The tall ship Spirit of Bermuda sails past Penn's Landing during the Parade of Sail along the Delaware River to kick off Sail Philadelphia 2018, Thursday, May 24, 2018.

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Tim Hawk may be reached at thawk@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Instagram @photog_hawk and Twitter @photogthawk. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips.