Star-Spangled Spectacular Brings Weeklong Celebration to Baltimore

Marching units, wreaths and fireworks usher in this week’s Star-Spangled Spectacular in Baltimore, which celebrates the 200th anniversary of the writing of the national anthem.

Below, we’ve listed a few highlights below from the affair, which runs from Wednesday, Sept. 10, to Tuesday, Sept. 16. Find the full schedule of events here.

President Barack Obama may visit Fort McHenry on Friday, The Baltimore Sun reports. Vice President Joe Biden will speak at 9:30 p.m. Saturday at Fort McHenry during the “ Star-Spangled Spectacular Celebration.”

Highlights from the Star-Spangled Spectacular

Tall ships will be available for tours daily from Thursday to Monday around the Baltimore harbor.

Wednesday, Sept. 10: A welcome ceremony at the Inner Harbor will kick off the weeklong celebration. Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and other dignitaries will attend; 6–7 p.m. at 201 East Pratt Street.

Thursday, Sept. 11:

• The 200th March of the Defenders includes more than 500 uniformed members of the Maryland National Guard, who will march six miles from Patterson Park to North Point; 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• At the 9/11 Commemoration and Flag Ceremony, New York and Baltimore first responders, Fort McHenry Guard and historians will honor those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001; 11 a.m. to noon at Fort McHenry, 2400 East Fort Avenue in Baltimore.
• Cannon Fire will erupt from Federal Hill and Fort McHenry; 3 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 12:

• U.S. Navy Leap Frogs will jump from the sky into Clifton Park; 9 to 9:30 a.m. at 2801 Harford Road. The event repeats on Saturday at the Harford County Airport; 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday at 3538 Aldino Road in Churchville.
• Ceremony at Battle Monument includes a historic talk and wreath-laying; 10 a.m. at War Memorial Plaza at Fayette and Holliday streets.

Saturday, Sept. 13:

• Federal Hill Playground Dedication with parade, military bands and Gov. Martin O’Malley presiding; 10:45 a.m. at 300 Warren Avenue.
• Pets on Parade at the Inner Harbor will showcase the area’s most patriotic pets, decked out in red, white and blue; 11 a.m. at 201 East Pratt Street in Baltimore.
• Star-Spangled Spectacular Air Show featuring the Blue Angels. Various viewing locations are listed on the Star-Spangled website, from Fort McHenry to Port Covington; 2 to 4 p.m.
• Star-Spangled Spectacular Celebration is a high point of the week’s festivities, including two concerts and fireworks over the Inner Harbor, broadcast live on PBS; 6 to 10 p.m. at Fort McHenry, 2400 East Fort Avenue.
• A second concert, which costs admission, will take place at Pier Six, featuring Smokey Robinson, Train, Melissa Etheridge, Little Big Town, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and others; 7 to 10 p.m. at Pier Six Pavilion, 731 Eastern Avenue.

The Star-Spangled Spectacular continues through Tuesday, Sept. 15. See the complete schedule here for details.

For more information about parking and transportation, see this guide from organizers.

Photo Credit: Star-Spangled 200.Tall ships began arriving at the Inner Harbor on Wednesday, Sept. 10