Flag still there: War of 1812 Bicentennial festivities in Baltimore June 13-19

Crew of the USS Constitution in War of 1812 garb.

With flags flying and brass bands sounding the charge, a flotilla of tall ships and warships will enter Baltimore Harbor to commemorate the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and The Star Spangled Banner on June 13- 19.

The birthplace of the "Star Spangled Banner" is gussying up in her 1812 finest for the 200-year celebration.

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 and memorial ceremonies.

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.

The public can meet sailors from the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world, talk to historical re-enactors about tall ships and be stirred by Navy Band musical performances. Many free events like these recognize America’s Navy for keeping the sea free for more than 200 years.

Star-Spangled Sailabration is just the beginning 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.

Enjoy this article? Get notified of new War of 1812 articles by "Subscribing" to this blog on the upper left side. Stacey "Vagabonding Lulu" is an Arizona travel writer with a penchant for tall ships.

Experience Opulence at Flagstaff Wine & Food Festival June 9, 2012

Flagstaff  Food & Wine Festival 2011 @Stacey Wittig

Wine enthusiasts and foodies will enjoy sipping wines – including those from local wineries Javelina Leap, Oak Creek Vineyards, Kind Vines – at the Flagstaff Wine & Food Festival. And, of course, indulging in cuisine from northern Arizona’s top restaurants is part of the ‘Experience Opulence’ fun fest. Unlimited food tastings are included in the ticket price of the annual event.

It all happens Saturday, June 9, 2012 from 1-5pm.

The third annual event returns to Pepsi Amphitheater, Northern Arizona’s premier outdoor entertainment venue, delivering guests the chance to savor the best culinary talents in the region, along with a few from other parts of Arizona as well.

An active SubZero/Wolf Chefs Demonstration Stage rounds out the fabulous culinary experience in the cool pines. Celebrity chefs revealing their secrets include Chef Frank Branham of the Cottage Place, Chef Lisa Dahl of Cucina Rustica and Chef James Porter of Petite Maison.

Live entertainment and an exciting auction of food and travel packages, collectible wines and local crafts is part of the $30 entrance fee.

The event supports Friends of Coconino County Parks, Inc.

Participating Restaurants

• 1899 Restaurant
• Cucina Rustica
• Cottage Place
• El Capitan
• Cuvee 928
• Josephine's
• Petite Maison
• Taverna
• SAKURA & Woodlands Café at Radisson

Tickets are $30 at www.PepsiAmp.com, or call 1.866.977.6849.  Tickets include four well-crafted wine samples, unlimited food tasting and parking. Additional wine tasting passports are available for only $20 for eight more wine tastings.
About Friends of Coconino County Parks, Inc.  Friends of Coconino Country Parks is a private, non-profit  organization with the mission of supporting Coconino County Parks and Recreation Department’s efforts in the areas of land conservation, park development, volunteerism and recreational activities. 
Facebook event page:   http://www.facebook.com/events/286974371378596

War of 1812: Telling a 19th Century Story with 21st Century Technology

During the Bicentennial celebrations of the War of 1812, historians will be telling a 19th Century story using 21st Century technology.

Take, for instance, the image on the left. It is a digital reproduction of a lithograph of a War of 1812 sea battle. Entitled USF CHESAPEAKE VS HMS SHANNON, the picture was captured by artist J.C. Schetky and then engraved by L. Haghe around 1813. The engraving could have been used by newspapers covering the war efforts of the new country. (The US was less than 40 years old when this war broke out.)

In what would have taken 100s of hours -- for the artist to painstakingly create the image, for the engraver to make the etchings, for the plates to be delivered to the presses, for the presses to run the image and then be delivered to the viewer by horse or foot -- in the 19th century, today I can download the image from the Navy's art collection, add it to my blog and send a message via email, phone or Facebook to you in a matter of minutes. Ah, yes, 21st century technology!

I am looking forward to pointing my phone at a tall masted sailing ship -- similar to the CHESAPEAKE -- whilst I visit New Orleans for the NOLA Navy Week in celebration of the War of 1812. Then I can snap a photo, download it to my blog and send it to you immediately. So subscribe to my blog now -- in the upper right hand corner. And you'll be updated as soon as I post those photos and more coverage on the events.

Vagabonding Lulu is an Arizona travel writer who loves historic travel. Follow her adventures as she searches for War of 1812 history in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Learn more about NOLA Navy Week -- April 17-23, 2012 -- at http://nolanavyweek.com

Largest concentration of Naval Vessels in New Orleans

"This will be the first time to see this concentration of vessels in New Orleans," exclaimed Mark Romig, President and CEO of New Orleans Tourism and Marketing Corporation, "At least in my lifetime."

The largest naval fleet to amass in New Orleans will start arriving on April 16, 2012 to celebrate the War of 1812 Bicentennial. Eleven ships will dock and most will remain until April 23. I am most excited to see the three tall ships that will be tied up at the East Bienville Street wharf.

The crew of the Montrose, a ship from the UK, boasts a "traveling" rugby team of sailors. They will challenge New Orleans ruggers in a contest slated during NOLA Navy Week. I'll be watching for the line-up!

A native New Orleanian, Mark is serving as Chairman of the NOLA Navy Week Host Committee and I spoke with him in a recent Blogger's Roundtable. "There are only two ticketed events; all else is open to the public to reaquaint themselves with the Navy, the Marines and the Coast Guard."

Watch this blog for more NOLA Navy Week details as they unfold. In the meantime, "SUBSCRIBE" to this blog by entering your email above.

War of 1812 Bicentennial Celebration: New Orleans

Two hundred years ago, a small coastal nation, experiencing the growing pains of its recent independence, found itself at war with its former colonial master – the most powerful nation in the world.

The United States, independent for less than 30 years, went to war with Great Britain again in 1812 to preserve its economy, its way of life and its independence – and the US Navy emerged as the key to victory.

Born of necessity and forged in battle, the US Navy, in its infancy, took on the world’s mightiest fleet and proved to be a force of innovation, technology, esprit and expert seamanship. The US Navy kept the sea and America free during the War of 1812 – and continues to do so today.

During this "Second War of Independence," when Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the “Star Spangled Banner," the Navy proved that it was essential to our nation’s defense and prosperity by protecting national commerce, enforcing trade laws, and ensuring freedom of the seas. The Bicentennial Commemoration of the War of 1812 and the Star Spangled Banner honors this legacy and reminds Americans that freedom of the seas and the free flow of commerce remain as important to our nation today as they were 200 years ago.

Beginning on April 16, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana, the US Navy, US Marine Corps, US Coast Guard will commemorate the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and The Star Spangled Banner. The Navy has partnered with the International Council of Air Shows, the Navy League, the Naval Historical Foundation, and Operation Sail (OpSail) to create world-class events around the country, with signature events in New York, Baltimore, Norfolk, New Orleans, Boston, Chicago, and Cleveland, and smaller events in other cities.

These events include Blue Angels air shows, visits by ships of the US Navy and international navies, parades of tall ships and “Galley Wars” cook off events.

To plan your visit, click the EVENTS links for a detailed schedule for each.

All Aboard! 2012 dates for special runs of steam-powered train announced

All Aboard! 2012 dates for special runs of steam-powered train announced