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.