PARADE OF SAIL GATHERING IS TODAY

Old Dominion University will host a gathering for all faculty and staff on Whitehurst Beach from 11 a.m. � 1 p.m. on Friday, June 8 to watch the parade of sail. Refreshments will be served at the event.

The parade of sail features more than 50 stunning tall ships from the United States and 12 countries traveling the historic Chesapeake Bay and Elizabeth River into Downtown Norfolk. The group will also include a fleet of character ships representing the 13 original colonies.

The parade will get underway Friday morning, off the shore of East Beach in the Ocean View section of Norfolk, and will continue up the Chesapeake Bay. It will be visible from the beaches of Ocean View, pass over the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, past Whitehurst Beach and proceed up the Elizabeth River, passing by the Portsmouth seawall along the river and is scheduled to arrive at Town Point Park, Norfolk at noon.

The parade of sail kicks off the 31st Annual Norfolk Harborfest celebration. This year Norfolk's signature event will honor the 400th Anniversary of Jamestown.