Massive Fleet of Tall Ships Heading to New York City for America's 250th Birthday

The Coachella Valley isn't the only place pulling out all the stops for America's 250th birthday. A fleet of towering tall ships and military vessels is making its way to New York City for a historic parade around the city's harbors.

The shores of the Hudson River will serve as a top spot to celebrate the national milestone. U.S. Navy sailor and Brooklyn native Javon Liverpool will be in the middle of the festivities along with his military colleagues. Liverpool noted that it feels amazing to be part of the historic moment, adding that growing up he saw Marines and sailors visiting the city for Fleet Week and it is an honor to be back home and represent the Bronx.

The impressive fleet will sail into the port of New York and New Jersey before cruising up the Hudson. The spectacle mirrors OpSail '76, which honored the U.S. Bicentennial, but this year's event is even larger with about 80 ships participating altogether.

SailForth 250 President Chris O'Brien detailed the flotilla's journey through the harbor, past the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and up to the George Washington Bridge. Top viewing locations include Battery Park, Hudson River Park, and Riverside Park on the Manhattan side, as well as vantage points along the New Jersey waterfront, Brooklyn waterfront, and Staten Island.

Most of the ships currently traveling up the East Coast will arrive Saturday morning for the two-and-a-half-hour nautical parade and international aerial review, leading up to the Macy's fireworks later that night. Over the weekend, the ships will dock around Manhattan for public tours and military displays before the sail continues up to Boston early next week.