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Four historic tall ships will dock along the Alexandria waterfront this June as the city hosts Sails on the Potomac, a free three-day festival marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
The event runs June 12–14 at Waterfront Park, 1A Prince St., and will feature ship tours, family activities, art and history programming exploring Alexandria's role in the founding era of the United States. A free fireworks show is planned for Saturday, June 13 at 9 p.m.
The tall ships coming to Alexandria are the Gazela, Kalmar Nyckel, Providence and Sultana. Tours are free, but all visitors — including children — must reserve a timed ticket in advance at alexandriava.gov/Sails250. A walk-up line will be available, though entry without a ticket is not guaranteed.
Visit Alexandria, the city's tourism office, has been marketing the festival nationally and sees the America 250 moment as a major economic opportunity. President and CEO Todd O'Leary noted at the February kickoff event that nearly a third of Americans are planning travel around America 250 events.
"At Visit Alexandria, we say that this city's stories are in fact the country's stories," O'Leary said in February.
City officials have also emphasized that Alexandria will be the only stop for tall ships in the D.C. metro region this summer — a distinction that Charlotte Hall, head of the Old Town Business and Professional Association, underscored at the February launch.
"When the tall ships come to Alexandria, everybody comes to Alexandria," Hall said.
Running alongside the tall ships is the 48th annual ALX Jazz Fest, which is expanding to three days as part of the commemoration. Music begins Friday, June 12 at noon. Each day carries a distinct theme: Americana roots on Friday, American jazz and poetry on Saturday, and Future Sounds of America on Sunday. Saturday's programming runs through 9 p.m.; Friday and Sunday wrap at 6 p.m.
The festival is free and open to the public. Attendees may bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnics. Food will be available for purchase, and leashed pets are welcome, though only service animals are permitted aboard the ships. The city is encouraging visitors to walk, bike or use public transit to reach the waterfront.
Sails on the Potomac is part of Alexandria's broader America 250 calendar, which Mayor Alyia Gaskins launched in February at the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum. Other upcoming events include the America 250 art poster contest, with submissions due April 17 and the winning design to be announced April 23 at the Torpedo Factory Art Center.
Full details on parking, transit, and tickets are available at alexandriava.gov/Sails250,.
