Festivities, commemorations, exhibitions and more are scheduled in Philadelphia and Camden, N.J., for two big weeks in October and November.
A parade of historic Navy ships, tours of the vessels, air shows, music, ceremonies, a block party and more are planned as part of Homecoming 250 to celebrate the 250th birthday of the Navy Oct. 9-16 and the Marine Corps Nov. 7-11 in and around Philadelphia and Camden, N.J.
More information and a full schedule are posted online at homecoming250.org.
A Sunday afternoon, Oct. 12, noon – 5 p.m., an All Veterans Reunion Picnic at Independence Mall in Philadelphia is one highlight of the first round of activities. Veterans service organizations will be on hand to offer resources and assist those who have served in all branches of service. Food, fun, music and camaraderie are on the day’s menu, along with a variety of veteran-owned businesses and vendors. Admission is free, but attendees are asked to fill out a reservation form online.
After the picnic will be a “Victory at Sea” concert at Independence Mall featuring the U.S. Navy Band, an elite Marine Corps band, choruses and other headliners, followed by fireworks.
A Navy and Marine Corps 250 Parade – with floats, balloons, marching bands and military vehicles – is set for Oct. 13, starting at 11 a.m. The 2-hour parade begins at 20th Street and JFK Boulevard and concludes at Independence Hall.
The Navy 250th Commemoration at Independence Hall is free of charge Oct. 13, 12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m., featuring guest speakers and appearances by top officials.
Ship tours, historical events, a flag-raising ceremony and more will fill the week, beginning with a parade of the historic ships on Oct. 9. The vessels will be available for tours throughout the week before they ceremoniously sail for their home ports on Oct. 15.
Special events to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps are planned for Nov. 7-11 in and around Philadelphia, including a Tun Legacy Foundation Birthday Block Party Nov. 10 from 11:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on 2nd Street between Market and Chestnut Streets in Philadelphia. Tun Tavern, historic birthplace of the Marines, is now embarking on a reconstruction.
A Philadelphia Veterans Parade and Festival event precedes the actual Marine Corps birthday on Nov. 9 from noon until 4 p.m., 21st Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia.
A Midnight Champagne Birthday Breakfast is scheduled between 11 p.m. (Nov. 9) and 1 a.m. (Nov. 10) at the Museum of the American Revolution, 101 S. 3rd Street in Philadelphia, to ring in the 250th birthday of the Marine Corps.
The 100th Marine Corps Birthday Ball is set for Nov. 10, 6 p.m., at the same location as the inaugural Maine Corps Birthday Ball put on by USMC Commandant John Lejeune a century ago, at 200 S. Broad Street in Philadelphia.
On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, an admission-free ceremony onboard the U.S.S. New Jersey begins at 11 a.m. at 62 Battleship Place, Camden, N.J.
While many festivities are free of charge, some require advance ticket purchases, and space is limited for certain events. For a complete schedule of events, along with links to buy tickets or make reservations, visit homecoming250.org.
- Honor & Remembrance