Dozens of tall ships will glide into Boston Harbor in July for Sail Boston 2026, one of the largest gatherings of tall ships in America in decades.

The summer event, part of Sail250, is a global gathering of more than 60 tall ships representing over 20 countries in celebration of America’s semiquincentennial.

The massive maritime celebration has been in the making since 2018, said Dusty Rhodes, executive director of Sail Boston, during a press conference on Wednesday. The last time tall ships visited Boston was in 2017.

“We have the finest port in North America for tall ships,” Rhodes said. “The ships will be all over the city, which makes it a delightful opportunity for all the people of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”

The ships will make a grand entrance during the Parade of Sail on July 11. Then they will tie up in berths around Boston and conduct free programming through July 16.

More than 4 million people are expected to visit the waterfront for the six days of festivities. Visitors will tour the ships and attend festivals, fireworks, street parades, educational activities, and international cultural events.

“We take great pride in welcoming the world to this city,” said Martha Sheridan, CEO of Meet Boston, in a press conference.

What are the stops on the Sail250 tour?

The tall ships are making the following five stops during the Sail250 tour:

New Orleans: May 28 to June 1
Norfolk: June 19-24
Baltimore: June 25 to July 1
New York City: July 4-8
Boston: July 11-16

“While Massachusetts 250 celebrates the spirit of innovation and independence that began here, Boston will also hold a special distinction as the final port of Sail250’s historic East Coast voyage,” said Kate Fox, executive director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT), in a press conference. “That means the eyes of the world will turn to Boston Harbor for the culminating chapter of this extraordinary international journey, placing Massachusetts at the center of a once-in-a-generation, global commemoration of our nation’s story.”

What ships are coming and where are they from?

More than 60 tall ships and military vessels representing over 20 countries will visit Boston.

“You name the country, they’re probably coming,” said Rhodes. “Which is what we’re so proud about, the multiculturalism of the entire thing.”

The fleet includes 22 Class A vessels (more than 131 feet in length); 18 International Flagships, chosen to represent a country in foreign and domestic events; naval and training ships from around the world; and historic and modern sailing vessels.

Many ships and vessels from New England will participate, as well as dozens from around the world, hailing from countries such France, Poland, Italy, Sweden, Germany, and Spain.

The celebration will also include four of five “sister ships” built in the same shipyard in Germany, which raced from Bermuda to Newport during the 1976 tall ships celebration, said David Choate, director of operations for Sale Boston.

“The commanding officers of four of them got in touch with us last August and they want to recreate that event, but it will be from New York to Boston,” Choate said.

What is the Parade of Sail?

The Parade of Sail will take place on July 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Boston Harbor.

“One of the signature moments will be the Parade of Sail as tall ships and naval vessels make their way to Boston Harbor from Broad Sound, sailing past some of Boston’s most iconic waterfront neighborhoods before docking throughout the harbor,” said Fox.

Boston residents and visitors can enjoy the Parade of Sail from Castle Island, the Seaport, Boston’s waterfront, East Boston, the North End, Charlestown, Winthrop, Deer Island, and the Boston Harbor Islands, Fox said.

The parade will be led by the USS Constitution, known as Old Ironsides, which was built in 1797 in the North End and is the world’s oldest commissioned warship.

The festivities kick off at 9 a.m. with the USS Constitution greeting the US Coast Guard Barque Eagle off of Castle Island with a grand flyover and fireboats, Rhodes said.

Check out the Parade of Sail route and viewing locations.

Where will the ships dock and how can I tour them?

The tall ships will be berthed at several locations throughout the Boston waterfront, with major concentrations in the Seaport and Charlestown. Here is a map.

The “epicenter” of the event will be at in the Seaport at Commonwealth Pier, Boston Fish Pier, Wharf 8, and Pier 5, said Choate.

“Magnificent ships are in this area,” he said during a press conference.

Many ships will be open for free tours and educational experiences throughout the week.

Here’s when the public can board the ships:

— July 11 from 4 to 10 p.m.
— July 12-15 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Please note, the boarding of ships at Boston Fish Pier will begin at noon on Sunday and 2 p.m. Monday through Wednesday)

Tours are subject to the captain’s discretion and will operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

Where is the Sail Boston Festival and what can I do there?

Visitors can join crews from around the world at the Sail Boston Festival at 302 Northern Avenue, which is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 11-15.

The festival will include concessions, live entertainment, a Sam Adams beer garden, merchandise, and the Sail Boston Ferris Wheel, where riders will enjoy spectacular views of Boston Harbor and the tall ships.

Where and when can I watch the crew and cadet street parade?

On July 13 from noon to 2 p.m., there will be a grand street parade from Northern Avenue to Columbus Park including 1,000 to 1,200 crew persons, followed by a grand reception at the state house where the captains and ambassadors will be greeted by Governor Maura Healey and Mayor Michelle Wu, Rhodes said.

The 1.3-mile parade route is as follows:

— The parade will step off from Leader Bank Pavilion on Northern Avenue heading west
— It will continue straight on Seaport Boulevard, passing Commonwealth Pier
— It will cross the Evelyn Moakley Bridge
— It will turn right onto Atlantic Avenue
— It will continue north along Atlantic Avenue
— It will end at Christopher Columbus Park (110 Atlantic Avenue)

“We’re asking all the residents and people of eastern Massachusetts to welcome these crews, these foreign visitors — they’ll be in uniform,” said Rhodes. “Give them a smile, give them a high five, tell them how much Boston welcomes them.”

Where can I watch the Sail Boston soccer tournament?

Since many of the ships have soccer teams — and as a nod to the World Cup taking place at Boston Stadium this summer — there will be a Sail Boston soccer tournament between the crews on Tuesday, July 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in LoPresti Park.

When can I see fireworks?

Fireworks will light up the sky over Boston Harbor on Saturday, July 11 and Wednesday, July 15. The fireworks will launch from a barge located off of Boston’s Fan Pier.

What type of security will there be?

Organizers say that the viewing areas along the waterfront will have the same restrictions as entering a stadium on game day, so there will be security checkpoints and all bags will be subject to search. Guests may leave the secured area, but must repeat the screening process before entering again.

There will be no bag storage at any location and what follows is a list of what is allowed and prohibited during the Parade of Sail and on the piers throughout the week.

Allowed items:
Small clutch purses/ bags / diaper bags (that are easily searchable)
Shoulder strap or single handle coolers
Folding/beach chairs
Umbrellas
Baby strollers
Glass baby bottles
Blankets or tarps (max size 10′ x 10′)

Prohibited items:
Backpacks or large bags
Coolers on wheels
Firearms, weapons, sharp objects
Fireworks
Pop up tents or canopies
Alcoholic beverages
Glass containers and pre-mixed beverages
Wagons or pull carts
Drones
Pets (excluding certified service animals)
Grills, propane tanks, or open flames
Bicycles or electric scooters (bicycle parking will be available outside most screening areas)

“We will have a large police presence throughout all of the events that we’re having this summer,” said Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox, during a press conference. “Officers will be both in plain clothes and in uniform to provide guidance and protection for the public.”

There will be medical stations throughout the waterfront, as well as in East Boston, Charlestown, and other areas, said James Hooley, Boston EMS Chief, during a press conference.

“We can hopefully treat many minor conditions and save people from going to the hospital,” said Hooley said. “But we are ready in case we do have a true emergency.”

“Whether it’s Sail Boston, FIFA, Fourth of July, or Boston’s 250th, we always need the public’s help in partnering and to provide public safety and this year is no different,” said Cox. “We say this many times but we can never say it enough: if people see something, say something.”

How can I get a premium viewing experience?

The MassMutual Sail Boston Grandstands will welcome guests at Boston Fish Pier from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ticket holders can experience unobstructed views of the Parade of Sail, live narration about each ship, outdoor restrooms, and food and beverages for purchase for $225 per person.

The premium tickets include access to indoor restrooms and facilities and a lunch featuring lobster rolls, burgers, and pulled chicken sliders for $375 per person.

Tickets are available for purchase at www.sailboston.com/tickets.

When do the tall ships depart?

The tall ships will depart on Thursday, July 16.

Kristi Palma

Travel writer

 

Kristi Palma is the travel writer for Boston.com, focusing on the six New England states. She covers airlines, hotels, and things to do across Boston and New England. She is the author of the award-winning Scenic Six, a weekly travel newsletter.

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates continue shuffling around parts of their bullpen, as they search for the right collection of players moving forward.

The Pirates are optioning right-handed relief pitcher Brandan Bidois to Triple-A Indianapolis, as they are recalling right-handed pitcher Antwone Kelly ahead of their series opener vs. the Miami Marlins at PNC Park on June 12, per Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Bidois had spent the past month with the Pirates, becoming the first Australian player to feature for the franchise, and was an integral part of their bullpen.

The Pirates now hope that Bidois finds his best stuff back in the minors and eventually convinces them he deserves a major league roster spot in the future.

What the Pirates Bullpen Looks Like Now

The Pirates have five right-handed pitchers in Wilber Dotel, Kelly, Carmen Mlodzinski, Yohan Ramírez and Dennis Santana, plus three left-handed pitchers in Mason Montgomery, Evan Sisk and Gregory Soto.

Dotel and Mlodzinski have worked in bulk roles since moving to the bullpen and Kelly will likely do the same, providing length and rest for the starting rotation.

All three pitchers have been starters, with Dotel and Kelly doing so for the majority of their time in the minor leagues and Mlodzinski spending the first two months in the rotation before Jared Jones came back off the 60-day injured list.

Expect all three pitchers to follow a starting pitcher in a game, like Mlodzinski coming in for the last two Jones’ starts.

Ramírez is another middle reliever option, while Santana and the three southpaws work in high-leverage situations.

Bidois’ Tenure with the Pirates

The Pirates recalled Bidois on May 12 and optioned right-handed relief pitcher Cam Sanders to Triple-A.

He earned a spot on the 40-man roster, with the Pirates protecting him from the Rule 5 Draft, after a strong season in the minor leagues, where he had a streak of setting down 64 consecutive batters from July 29 to Sept. 14.

Bidois was on the taxi squad prior and eventually made his MLB debut on May 13, where he gave up a solo home run in an inning of work in the 10-4 loss to the Colorado Rockies at PNC Park.

He posted a 4.05 ERA over 12 outings and 13.1 innings pitched for the Pirates, with a 16 strikeouts to 11 walks, a .224 batting average allowed (BAA) and a 1.65 WHIP.

Bidois pitched twice vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers at PNC Park, the most recent series for the Pirates.

He gave up four runs over 0.2 innings , with two hits and three walks, as he and Dotel gave up 10 runs in the seventh inning of a 12-3 loss in the series opener on June 9, then allowed a run in the eighth inning of the 8-6 loss in the series finale on June 11.

Make sure to visit Pirates OnSI for the latest news, updates, interviews and insight on the Pittsburgh Pirates!

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HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — The Connecticut Department of Public Health (CTDPH) is alerting residents on Friday about a recall of Darice Timeless Minis decorative toys that were found to contain lead levels that violate the federal paint ban.

The CTDPH is urging residents to stop using the decorative toy products immediately. The recall applies to the red wagons, watering cans, and chairs, all of which pose a risk for lead poisoning, according to CTDPH officials.

The CTDPH said residents who have one of the recalled products should:

• Stop using the product immediately and dispose of it
• Contact your child’s healthcare provider to discuss whether lead testing is
• appropriate
• Report any injuries or illnesses associated with these products to the CPSC

“Lead poisoning is entirely preventable, and no level of lead exposure is safe for children,” Commissioner Manisha Juthani, M.D., said in a written statement. “We are asking every parent, caregiver, childcare provider, and healthcare professional in Connecticut to take this recall seriously. If you have these products in your home, stop using them immediately and throw them away. If you have any concern that your child may have been exposed, please contact your
healthcare provider and ask about lead testing. Acting quickly makes all the difference.”

The recall was issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).