Sail250 to bring 60 ships to Norfolk for America’s big birthday

Gov. Glenn Youngkin last week kicked off the one-year countdown to Sail250 — an enormous maritime festival that’s expected to draw more than 3 million visitors to Virginia and generate at least $150 million in tourism revenue.

The event, which celebrates the nation’s 2026 250th anniversary — or semiquincentennial — will see more than 60 tall ships and military vessels from 20 countries pass through various harbor cities in Virginia for 10 days, starting June 12, eventually docking in Norfolk. About 10,000 people will collectively crew the vessels, according to Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander.

Youngkin was joined by several Hampton Roads mayors Friday afternoon at the American Rover ship, which was docked at Norfolk’s Waterside marina, to announce the planned festivities. Ships blared their horns at the end of the ceremony as a way of kicking off the countdown.

Youngkin spoke of the integral role Virginians played in the United States’ journey to independence, highlighting Thomas Jefferson’s role in drafting the Declaration of Independence and Hanover County native Patrick Henry’s declaration to the Second Virginia Convention, “Give me liberty or give me death.”

“America was really founded by Virginians,” Youngkin said. “This story is one that we have to remind ourselves is part of not just our national narrative, but Virginia’s. And therefore, could it be any more appropriate for us to come together this time next year and welcome 60 vessels from 20 countries?”

Norfolk will be one of several cities across the country expected to host the Sail250 American international fleet, along with New Orleans, Baltimore, New York and Boston.

Norfolk’s planned activities for the event include a boat parade, concerts and fireworks. The event will coincide with the city’s Juneteenth celebrations. Karen Scherberger, president and CEO of Sail250 Virginia, said that the event will be “one of the largest and most historic maritime configurations in Virginia history.

“And more than just a spectacle, Sail250 Virginia honors our naval heritage, promotes international goodwill, and brings millions in economic activity, thousands of international visitors and unforgettable experiences to families across the commonwealth,” she said. “Norfolk has always been a proud maritime city, the home of the largest naval base in the world, and with Sail250 Virginia, we reaffirm our identity, not only as a harbor of history but as a global port of goodwill and celebration.”

Scherberger said the event has been planned since 2019 and has involved the work of hundreds of people from numerous organizations and cities in the Hampton Roads area.

She described the event as an “enormous undertaking” but said that it should generate at least $150 million in visitor spending over 10 days in 11 Virginia cities. Other Virginia cities participating in the celebration include Alexandria, Cape Charles, Chesapeake, Hampton, Onancock, Portsmouth, Richmond, Smithfield/Isle of Wight, Virginia Beach and Yorktown.