America’s birthday falls conveniently on a Saturday this year (or perhaps inconveniently, if this means you won’t get a day off from work). A great way to celebrate the big day is to head to the 33rd annual Harborfest in Norfolk, Va., which takes place at the newly revamped Town Point Park over three days, July 3–5. One of the highlights of Harborfest is the annual Parade of Sail , when a large group of sailboats, tugs, motorboats, and, the highlight, several tall ships make their way along the Elizabeth River, arriving at the downtown harbor at noon. This year’s Parade of Sail will feature the Brazilian Cisne Branco and the Pride of Baltimore II , which celebrates the early-19th-century Baltimore clippers, ships built for speed and small cargoes that were a key element in the U.S. Navy in the War of 1812. The ships will be open for tours after the parade. (Ship fans should also make sure to check out the USS Wisconsin —or, as her crew called her, the Wisky—at the maritime museum Nauticus, a short walk from Town Point Park.) [+] Enlarge photo The fireworks at last year’s Harborfest celebration (Courtesy Norfolk Convention & Visitors Bureau) This year’s festival has fireworks each night, including two shows in full darkness, on Friday at 10 p.m. and Saturday at 9:30 p.m., and a 7:30 p.m.

Original Source This Weekend: Norfolk celebrates the Fourth with Harborfest