Tall Ships sail into Boston, yet another chance for locals and tourists alike to celebrate

The Juan Bautista Cambiaso, hailing from the Dominican Republic, sails towards its dock on Saturday, July 11 in Boston. Dan Murphy / GBH News

The Tall Ships sailed into Boston Saturday as part of Sail Boston 2026 and the final stop of Sail250, a maritime celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
Among those in attendance was Andover resident Abby Evangelista and her Corgi, Rocko, who was dressed in a sailor’s uniform and hat, which Abby says is rather common for him.
“Rocko gets dressed up for lots of occasions … sometimes just to go to the store, and he does so great with meeting people,” said Evangelista.

Abby Evangelista and her Corgi, Rocko, stand for a photograph on Saturday, July 11 at Castle Island in Boston. Dan Murphy / GBH News

She says Rocko has an outfit for every occasion, especially when it comes to the other festivities around Boston this summer.
“We came out for the World Cup after the last [Scotland] game…he actually walked around wearing a Scottish flag and a traffic cone on his head,” she said. “Last week for the 4th of July, he was dressed as George Washington.”

Chilean sailors aboard the Esmerelda wave to spectators on Castle Island during the Meet Boston Parade of Sail on Saturday, July 11 in Boston. Dan Murphy / GBH News

Sail Boston 2026, commonly known as “the tall ships,” is the most recent of several events of national and international interest over the past few weeks in the Boston area, including several games of the World Cup and the nation’s 250th birthday.
The MBTA provided free shuttle buses to bring spectators from the JFK/UMass Red Line stop to Castle Island, a peninsula at the mouth of Boston Harbor. The service drew thousands on top of those who opted to walk to Castle Island’s viewing points, resulting in lines stretching over a quarter of a mile as security personnel checked the bags of everyone entering the grounds.

Carolyn Gustine points out a ship to her son, Patrick, during the Meet Boston Parade of Sail on Saturday, July 11 at Castle Island in Boston.         Dan Murphy / GBH News

Sail Boston 2026 is the latest in a generational lineup of events this summer in Boston, bringing visitors from across the world.
Ships and sailors from countries such as Argentina, Colombia, and Ecuador were welcomed with cheers and smiles, even as immigration enforcement operations and anti-Latino rhetoric remain prevalent across the country.

The Colombian vessel ARC Gloria passes spectators watching from Castle Island on Saturday, July 11 in Boston. Dan Murphy / GBH News

Sail Boston estimates four million visitors will come to see the over 50 vessels representing over 25 countries throughout next week, until their Thursday morning departure.

A quarter-mile line stretches down William J Day Boulevard as attendees queue to pass the security checkpoint into Castle Island on Saturday, July 11 in Boston. Dan Murphy / GBH News

Spectators on Castle Island greet the USS Constitution as it leads the Parade of Sail into Boston Harbor on Saturday, July 11 in Boston.                  Dan Murphy / GBH News

↑Back to Top