Coast Guard Celebration

To celebrate this grand distinction in conjunction with the 220th birthday of the USCG, the City will host a citywide celebration kicking off with an opening ceremonies on Wednesday, August 4th .

Times are being made as specific as possible at this point, but are subject to change because of the USCG heavy involvement with “Operation Deepwater Horizon Response” (the oil spill in the Gulf). Please look for releases pertaining to this celebration in the coming weeks. The events listed are open to public.

Wednesday, Aug. 4 (220th birthday of the USCG)

10 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Opening ceremony at High Street Landing (HSL) – This will include:

•USCG Cutter at seawall; smaller vessels inside HSL

•USCG Honor Guard

•Fly-over by USCG aircraft out of Elizabeth City, NC

•USCG Band

•Speakers from US CG and local, state and federal government (detailed list to be sent in early July)

Thursday, Aug. 5

5pm – 8 pm Citywide Events:

•Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Seafood Outing - North Street Landing (NSL)

•USCG Cutter as well as USCG small boats on display

•OAR Concert at nTelos Pavilion

Friday, Aug. 6

Beginning at 5 p.m.

•FirstEvents music/entertainment on High Street and Olde Towne

•USCG Cutter as well as USCG small boats on display

• Crew race (tent) at HSL

•Concert at HSL

Gospelrama at North Street Landing (NSL)

Saturday, Aug. 7

7:30 a.m.

Coast Guard City Century Bike Tour starting from nTelos Pavilion

10:00 a.m. – 6 p.m. HSL Events and Displays:

•USCG vessels for tours

•USCG mobile response vehicle (MCV)

•USCG demonstrations - ongoing

•Onsite USCG Coastie and Otter mascots

•Naval Shipyard Museum tours and make and take crafts

•Portsmouth fire boat demonstrations

•Portsmouth Police and Fire & Rescue displays

•USO

•Tamaroa Foundation

•Old Coast Guard Station

•Hampton Roads Naval Museum

•City of Portsmouth Ambulance & Fire Engine

•Crime Prevention

•Ident-A-Kid

•Tidewater Maritime Living History Association (TMLHA)

•Portsmouth Museums

•Guided Tours of the Lightship

•City of Portsmouth Sheriff’s Department

•18th-19th century games

•Sonshine Artists (face painters, magic, balloons)

•Virginia Aquarium’s Ocean in Motion (until 3 p.m.)

1:00p.m – 3:00p.m.

•First Responders BBQ & Slaw Cook-Off (at Fresnel Lens) – $15.00 per ticket -

6:00p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

•Counting Crows concert at nTelos Pavilion

•Gospelrama at NSL

Sun, Aug. 8

11:00 a.m.: Memorial Ceremony at HSL

MORE: For more information, please call the City of Portsmouth Visitor’s Center at 757-393-5111 or visit http://www.coastguardcityportsmouth.com/