Sail Boston 2017 Tall Ships Festival

Bostonians welcome crews and cadets from all over the world to their harbor on a continual basis as part of the Visiting Ship Program and are gearing up to greet the return of the Tall Ship fleet for Sail Boston 2017. The festivities begin with Friday's opening ceremonies, followed by the showcase event of the festival, the Grand Parade of Sail through the harbor on Saturday. Ships will be open for public boarding from Saturday afternoon through Wednesday night, and ships will depart Boston Thursday morning.Full schedule of events:With Boston Harbor and the Boston fireboat ceremonially spraying water as a backdrop, the Opening Ceremony will kick-off Sail Boston 2017. There will be a ceremonial welcome with a speaking program to follow which will include a Blessing of the Sails and a presentation of the flags from each country.The Grand Parade of Sail will highlight the day’s activities as vessels parade in flotillas from Broad Sound into the main channel of Boston Harbor, along the Boston waterfront, turning at Charlestown, before proceeding to their assigned berthing areas.Come see the Tall Ships and enjoy music, entertainment and food for purchase.Following the Parade of Sail on Saturday, June 17, the Tall Ships will be berthed at various piers for the public to view and board. Boarding times will be posted closer to the event and may vary at the Captain’s discretion.Get an up-close view of historic tall ships and military vessels from all over the world in port for the celebration of Sail Boston. On this 90-minute narrated harbor tour from Massachusetts Bay Lines, you'll cruise alongside some of the world's most beautiful ships as they make their way through Boston Harbor, including Cisne Branco from Brazil, Gloria from Columbia, Ecuador's Guayas, Indonesia's Dawaruci, and the U.S. Coast Guard's Eagle, as well as arriving Naval vessels. Light snacks and beverages will be available for purchase during the cruise.Ecumenical service for the general public, cadets, crew and guests associated with Sail Boston.The U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps accompanied by Naval forces from Canada, Chile, Ecuador and Peru will lay wreathes in honor of the men and women from Massachusetts who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and gave their lives for our nation.The Crew & Cadet Street Parade presented by Downtown Boston BID is an opportunity to celebrate Sail Boston 2017 and to welcome crew, cadets and guests from around the world. Marching bands and cadets from the visiting ships will parade from Seaport Boulevard to Downtown Crossing.Crews and cadets of the Tall Ships will participate in a friendly competition in a soccer tournament at Moakley Park. We welcome you to come cheer on the competing crews from the sidelines!Come see the Tall Ships and enjoy a night of musical and military entertainment.Tug of War | Wednesday, June 21 12pm | South Boston Maritime ParkGood old fashioned game of tug of war.Come see the Tall Ships and enjoy a night of musical and military entertainment.The Tall Ships depart Boston Harbor. The majority of the Tall Ships will continue on the next leg of the Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta to Canada.