Dozens of small vessels will sail down the East River on Friday as New York City gets a preview of this weekend’s major maritime celebration honoring America’s 250th anniversary.
The Small Ships Parade serves as the lead-up to Saturday’s “Sail4th 250” event, which is expected to draw large crowds to the city’s waterfront.
Many of the participating vessels, known as Class B tall ships, have been arriving in New York Harbor over the past several days. While smaller than the tall ships featured in Saturday’s main event, the vessels will offer spectators an early look at the historic flotilla…