This October and November, hundreds of thousands of visitors and locals will flock to Philadelphia’s historic Old City neighborhood to celebrate the 250^th anniversary of the US Navy and Marine Corps. The month-long celebration, organized by non-profit organization Homecoming 250 in conjunction with event planning company ESM Productions, will honor veterans as well as active duty personnel of all military branches; this once-in-a-lifetime event, hosted by the city which birthed both the Navy and Marine Corps, is sure to both entertain visitors and educate them on two of the branches which gained our country its independence and have defended our values at home and abroad for two and a half centuries.

The events will begin on October 9^th with the Parade of Ships, a jaw-dropping maritime procession which will feature up to a dozen active and historic Navy ships navigating the Delaware River to Penn’s Landing, where a traditional Blessing of the Fleet will be performed. From the 9^th to the 15^th, many of these ships will be available for tours at their berths in Philadelphia’s Navy Yard and Camden, NJ, allowing the public a closer look at the vessels which carry our Navy sailors across the globe.

From October 9^th to 11^th, visitors may explore the Innovation Pavilion, located at the Cherry Street Pier, which will highlight state-of-the-art technologies from leading innovators in maritime defense. Hands-on demonstrations will engage and excite viewers, and industry leaders will discuss the present and future of the defense industry as well as showcase career opportunities in ship-building, engineering, and more: as George Leone said, “There are lots of wonderful high-paying jobs in the maritime industry for engineers as well as pipe fitters, welders, and many more… this is a great opportunity for people to learn more about that.”

The All-Veterans’ Reunion Picnic will also be held on the 11^th, bringing together veterans and their families from all branches of service for an afternoon of great food and fun activities. The picnic will feature live music, food competitions including an appearance from celebrity chef Robert Irvine, and service organizations offering support and resources for veterans. As George Leone, founder and president of Homecoming 250, put it, “This is a great way for the public to salute these veterans who have served their country going back as far as World War II. We’re hoping to fill Independence Mall with veterans.” The picnic will take place from noon to 5pm at Independence Mall; at 6pm in the same location, the Elite Marine Corps Band and other groups will perform in the “Victory At Sea” concert, followed by a fireworks display.

October 13^th will be a highlight of the month, featuring a variety of special events, beginning with a flag raising ceremony at City Hall and a Thanksgiving and Remembrance Ceremony at historic Christ Church, nearby the site where the first-ever Navy ship was commissioned. These will be followed by the Navy & Marine Corps 250 Parade starting at 11am at JFK Boulevard, a two-hour spectacle which will include floats, marching bands, Navy and Marine Corps vehicles, and participants from ROTC and JROTC programs. The parade will conclude at Independence Mall, to be immediately followed by a ceremony honoring the 250^th anniversary of the Navy. Local and national public officials will give remarks, and the legendary Blue Angels will perform a flyover of the area.

The events in November will shift their focus to the founding of the Marine Corps, beginning on the 7^th with a tour of the Masonic Temple library and museum. Tour guides will showcase rare archival artifacts, including items from the Tun Tavern, the birthplace of the Marine Corps. This rare opportunity will highlight the origins of the Corps and its links to historical Freemasonry. Later in the evening at 5pm, a Welcome Dinner will be hosted at the Independence Seaport Museum, where visitors can enjoy a waterfront view and learn about the conjoined history of the Corps and the Delaware River. 

The 9^th will kick off with a Marines and Veterans parade leading through Center City from noon to 4pm. Following the parade, visitors will embark on a formal dinner cruise aboard the Spirit of Philadelphia, featuring a keynote address from Medal of Honor recipient Colonel Harvey C. Barnum Jr. The day will conclude with a midnight Champagne Birthday Breakfast at the Museum of the American Revolution. The following day will begin at 9am with a ceremony at the Arch Street Meeting House, resting place of Samuel Nicholas, the first Commandant of the Marine Corps. After the ceremony, a Marine Corps 250^th Commemoration will take place at Independence Hall, featuring remarks from military and public officials. The final event on the 10^th will be the Marine Corps Birthday Ball at 6pm, in the very same ballroom in the Bellevue where the branch’s first-ever Birthday Ball was held.

The month-long celebration will wrap up on the 11^th with a Veterans Day ceremony aboard the Battleship New Jersey. This event will celebrate all veterans and highlight the Marine Corps’ core values of honor, courage, and commitment. Many more events will take place throughout October and November, including sporting events, panel discussions, and special museum exhibits: a full list of events, including schedules, locations, and pricing, can be found at homecoming250.org.

The month-long 250^th anniversary celebration will truly have something for everyone, from parades to concerts to displays of cutting-edge military technologies. This event is truly the perfect way to celebrate the centuries-long history of our country and the military that defends it, and to honor and celebrate the veterans and active-duty personnel who make that defense possible. Mark your calendars for October 9^th through November 11^th and come out to Philadelphia’s historic Old City to take part in these once-in-a-generation festivities.