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Star-Spangled Sailabration 

The National War of 1812 Bicentennial Launch

Baltimore, Maryland • June 13–19, 2012

An international parade of ships will sail into Baltimore on June 13, 2012 to launch Star-Spangled 200, the celebration of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the penning of the National Anthem. More than three dozen ships, including U.S. Navy, British and Canadian “grey hulls” and tall ships from around the globe are expected for the Star-Spangled Sailabration festivities. The week-long event will feature public tours, land-based activities and an air show, featuring the Blue Angels. Ships will be staged in Baltimore’s famed Inner Harbor, Fell’s Point, Canton and Locust Point. There will be land-side events and group-friendly dining options for group tours. Parking and staging for motorcoaches is limited and restricted, please read below for great options!

Star Spangled Symphony!

Join us for the World Premier of Overture for 2012 on June 17th at 7:00 p.m. at Baltimore's beautiful Joseph Myerhoff Symphony Hall. Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Music Director, Marin Alsop invites you to the World Premier of composer Philip Glass' new work. To take a sneak peak at what to expect, please click here. Tickets are $15.00 and you can purchase them online at bsomusic.org/starspangled

Group Tour Options

• Boat cruises – One- to three-hour narrated boat cruises for all of the special events, such as the ships’ arrival, fireworks, Blue Angels Air Shows and Parade of Sail departure
• Water Taxi vouchers – Provides flexibility and ease to get from one area of the harbor to the other
• Restaurant vouchers – Allow your clients to explore, at their own pace
• Step-on guide services – Let an area professional plan all of the details of your visit
• Group-friendly dining options
• New motorcoach parking facility with lounge facilities for your coaches and drivers!

Exclusive Group Ship Tours For Your Groups!

On June 15th and 18th from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.there will be ship tours exclusively for your groups! To reserve a slot for your tour group please click here.

New Group Tour Destination Event for Motorcoach and Bus Groups!

Visit Baltimore and The Maryland State of Tourism Development have teamed up with the S.S. John W. Brown and the N.S. Savannah to provide an exciting group tour destination event. On June 15th, 16th and 17th, 2012 from 11:00 am to 4:00 p.m. the ships will be berthed in Canton and will provide self-guided tours for your groups! A very rare opportunity indeed!

Then...Your groups will be able to view the Blue Angels Air Show from the deck of the ships far away from the congestion of the Inner Harbor! 

There will be free motor coach parking and your passengers can purchase a yummy lunch from food vendors on the pier. There is a recommended donation of $10.00 per person to off-set the expenses of the non-profit organization that is associated with the ship. Your payment will be due within two weeks from the event to reserve room and parking for your group. You will be contacted for payment after you have completed the reservation process. Things your groups should bring:

• Sun screen
• a hat
• a folding chair
• Drinking water

Suggestions on what to wear:

• Flat, closed toe shoes (no heels, sandals, flip flops, or clogs)
• Easy to clean jeans, slacks or shorts, these are working ships and you may get dirty while touring the ships (e.g. grease from lubricants on doors, brushing by engine room parts etc...)

The S.S. John W. Brown is one of the last Liberty Ships left in the world. The ship is fully operational and sails a few times a year. Your groups will be able to tour this great ship from stem to stern. The John Brown is not handicap accessible due to the age of the ship.

The N.S. Savannah was, in its day, the world's first nuclear-powered merchant ship that combined commercial trade with the amenities of a passenger cruise liner. Decommissioned and it's nuclear fuel removed in 2006, the N.S. Savannah remains a marvel of technology. Your groups will be able to tour the ship and watch the Air Show from her beautiful tiered stern deck. To reserve space for your groups, please click here to make a reservation, you will be contacted with payment and parking information soon thereafter. The ship has been completely decommissioned and we have been asked to put you at ease; there is no nuclear residue left on the ship that can harm you. 

Alternate Air Show Viewing Area for Motorcoach and Bus Groups

The City of Baltimore is providing an alternate viewing area for motorcoaches that cannot access Fort McHenry due to the walking distance or the extreme congestion or who wish not to pay to participate in the Group Tour Destination Event in Canton. Reservations are necessary and space is limited. The South Locust Point Terminal will be available for groups arriving by motorcoach or buses on June 16th and 17th for the Air Show. There is no charge, but facilities are limited. There will be port-a-potties, food vendors. Seating is not provided, however your groups are allowed to bring chairs.Passengers will be required to go through a MARSEC screening process, therefore all passengers should bring a gorvenment-issued identification card. To reserve space for your groups, please click here.

Parking Your Motorcoach or Bus 

The City of Baltimore is opening it's brand-new Motor Coach Parking Facility at the beggining of June. This facility is available for parking for the Star Spangled Sailabration events. Prices are as follows:

- $5.00 metered parking on a first-come-first-serve basis

-$25.00 12-hour parking on a first-come-first-serve basis

-$35.00 24-hour parking on a first-come-first-serve basis

You can make a reservation for guaranteed parking by clicking HERE. You may qualify for discounted motor coach parking if you have booked room, attractions or restaurants through Visit Baltimore's Group Tour Department.

For additional information please visit our Motorcoach Information web page by clicking on the link in the top left area of this page in the green sidebar 

Star-Spangled Add-Ons

• Visit to Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine*
• Tour of the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House
• Take a guided walking tour of Fell’s Point
• Guided walking tour of the U.S. Naval Academy
• See the original draft of the Star-Spangled Banner at the Maryland Historical Society

NOTE: The Star Fort and the Visitor Center at Fort McHenry will be closed to the public on June 16 and 17 to preserve the historical integrity of the Monument. The park itself is open to the public with free admission to the festivities on June 16 and 17. Visitors will be required to pay the regular $7 admission fee during the rest of the commemoration week. For detailed information, please click HERE to download specific Fort McHenry information. Visiting Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine is not advised for any motorcoach groups for June 16th or June 17th due to road closures. If you need information about alternate viewing areas (for motorcoach groups only) see above for alternative viewing areas and check back at this website frequently for more options.

For More Information

Contact us by clicking here to get "Star Spangled" itineraries, group friendly restaurants, hotel packages and additional information on the events surrounding this important commemoration. For one-stop shopping, click here to download our group rfp form. Just fill out and return for complimentary assistance on pricing and availability for your Star Spangled tour! email your form to grouptours@baltimore.org.

Click here to download the calendar of activites.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact:

Eric Masterton-Mott, CTA
Director of Group Tour Sales and Hospitality Service Training
Visit Baltimore
410-659-7090
emmott@baltimore.org

Rich Gilbert, CTIS
Travel Trade Sales Manager
Maryland Office of Tourism Development
410-767-6288
rgilbert@visitmaryland.org