New York City is gearing up for one of the biggest sights of its Fourth of July weekend, with an International Naval Review and a parade of tall ships set to move up the Hudson River. The waterborne spectacle is shaping up to be a centerpiece of the holiday in the city.
The plan calls for the International Naval Review to come first, a formal display of vessels gathered for the occasion. Officials say the vice president is expected to be on board to review the fleet, adding a high-profile presence to the day's events.
Following the naval review, a parade of tall ships is set to make its way along the river. The graceful, masted vessels have long been a highlight of major New York harbor celebrations, drawing crowds eager to see them under sail.
The procession is expected to cover a long stretch of the waterway. Organizers indicated it would run from down near the Verrazzano Bridge and continue almost as far north as the Tappan Zee, meaning viewers up and down the Hudson will have plenty of vantage points to watch.
The scale of the event fits the moment, coming as the country marks its 250th year. New York's harbor, long a symbol of arrival and celebration, is again being pressed into service as a stage for a national milestone.
For longtime New Yorkers, the sight is expected to echo past celebrations on the water. Coverage of the plans drew comparisons to 1986, when the harbor filled with boats for the Statue of Liberty celebration, a scene many anticipate seeing again this weekend.
With the review and parade drawing crowds to the waterfront, the events will unfold against the backdrop of a holiday weekend already marked by intense heat. Spectators planning to line the Hudson to take in the ships will be doing so during a stretch of dangerous temperatures across the region.