Live blog: Sail 250, Harborfest, Juneteenth: Events info, traffic/transit, weather and more

Sail 250, Harborfest 50, and Juneteenth celebrations converge on Hampton Roads this weekend, promising to bring countless people to the region for the sights, sounds, food, and more.

News 3's guide brings together everything you need to know about the weekend weather, traffic concerns and transit options, and all activities and events — whether you plan to join the celebrations or not.

Live blog:

June 19, 4:30 p.m. — News 3 Anchor Anthony Sabella talks Juneteenth Festival and Harborfest

News 3 Anchor Anthony Sabella is out of the studio and in downtown Norfolk enjoying Harborfest. Hampton neighborhood reporter Colter Anstaett is at Fort Monroe ahead of their Juneteenth and Sail250 celebration.

The event will go on until 6 p.m. with live music and entertainment.

June 19, 4:21 p.m. — Derrah Getter's First Warning Forecast

This evening, what’s left of the rain and clouds will clear out. Overnight lows will be in the upper 60s and low 70s. This weekend will be mainly dry with a mix of sun and clouds. Highs will be in the upper 80s and low 90s.

Our next chance of storms arrives Monday ahead of an approaching cold front. Highs will be in the mid 90s with heat index values near 100.

June 19, 12:12 p.m. — News 3 Traffic Anchor Conor Hollingsworth gives an update aboard the Esmeralda as it nears Downtown Norfolk

The Chilean Navy's Esmeralda is getting closer and closer to Downtown Norfolk. Conor showed the Chilean Navy sailors climbing down after loosening ropes to drop the vessel's sails.

June 19, 12:08 p.m. — Juneteenth festivities officially underway at Town Point Park

News 3 reporter Gabrielle Harmon says the weather is currently holding up, allowing for Juneteenth festivities to officially begin! City and community leaders gathered to make a proclamation for the holiday.

A series of Black artists and businesses will be showcased during the festivities over this weekend. Sister Sledge, featuring Sledgendary, is set to perform at Town Point Park at 6 p.m., with Patti LaBelle's performance beginning at 8 p.m.

The Juneteenth fireworks show will begin at 9:30 p.m.

June 19, 12:01 p.m. — Blue Angels fly over Downtown Norfolk

Did you hear that? The Blue Angels just did a fly-over at Town Point Park as Juneteenth festivities take place ahead of Harborfest and the Parade of Sail.

June 19, 11:59 a.m. — More ships make their way towards Norfolk's downtown waterfront

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June 19, 11:41 a.m. — The first tall ship can be see on the WTKR Tower Cam moving into downtown Norfolk!

June 19, 11:16 a.m. — The tall ships are making their way down the Elizabeth River as seen here from the Bolling Ave. lookout point in Norfolk's Larchmont neighborhood

June 19, 10:40 a.m. — Norfolk city leaders discuss importance of Juneteenth

News 3 reporter Gabrielle Harmon spoke with two members of Norfolk City Council ahead of the Juneteenth festivities that are set to take place at Town Point Park.

"I think the citizens of Norfolk, as well as our visitors — for Councilman McGee and I — is that Juneteenth is a celebration of our past history but also moving Norfolk forward to celebrate our history, new history, as well as our legacy here in the city of Norfolk," Councilwoman Mamie Johnson told News 3.

June 19, 10:30 a.m. — Chilean Navy hoists the Esmeralda's sails

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June 19, 9:45 a.m. — Ships pass by Fort Monroe

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The lead ship in the Virginia Parade of Sail — The USCGC Eagle — passes by Fort Monroe in Hampton. The ships are set to head towards the HRBT before turning into the Elizabeth River.

Crowds gathered by the sea wall as ships came into view near The Chamberlin.

June 19, 8:33 a.m. — Member of the Chilean Navy speaks to News 3 aboard the Esmeralda

News 3 Anchor Conor Hollingsworth spoke to Chilean Navy Lt. Commander Tomas Frávega aboard the Esmeralda as it prepares to take off in the Virginia Parade of Sail.

"This is our training ship for the Chilean Navy and this is a process for our Naval cadets who have to be on board for four years," Frávega told News 3. "Studying in the Naval Academy and after that, they have to make this journey onboard the Esmeralda — almost six months on board."

June 19, 7:51 a.m. — The USCGC Eagle takes off, leading the ship parade

The Virginia Parade of Sail is kicking off as the USCGC Eagle begins to take off. The Eagle is a 295-foot, three-masted barque that is operated by the U.S. Coast Guard, it is set to be the lead ship in the long-awaited ship parade.

June 19, 6:42 a.m. — Reporting aboard the Chilean Navy's Esmeralda

News 3 Traffic Anchor Conor Hollingsworth gave an update on the ship parade aboard the Chilean Navy's Esmeralda. The steel-hulled, four-masted barquentine was first constructed in Cádiz, Spain back in 1953. This ship will be one of the last in the fleet for the Virginia Parade of Sail.

Conor says he's already seen a number of countries represented aboard the ships set to participate in the upcoming parade, including Uruguay, Paraguay and Germany.

June 19, 6:05 a.m. — People gather near Lesner Bridge to see ship parade kick off

The sun has risen and the boats gathered near the Lynnhaven Anchorage have become more visible. News 3 reporter John Hood spoke with an official who hopes this display inspires the next generation.

“I hope they’re inspired by the cadets that are aboard. It’s cadets from the Coast Guard Academy that are actually crewing the ship, under the guidance of a permanent crew, but they’d be inspired to know the young people that are there today, learning to serve their country,” he told News 3.

June 19, 6:04 a.m. — Looking ahead to the Virginia Parade of Sail route

News 3 anchor Erin Miller — with ships visible in the background — discussed the upcoming route of the Virginia Parade of Sail. Ships will begin at the Lynnhaven Anchorage, with the parade starting around 7:35 a.m. After passing by Fort Monroe, the ships will conclude the parade at Norfolk's waterfront, near Town Point Park.

June 19, 5:18 a.m. — Previewing Norfolk's Juneteenth festival; discussing contingency plans amid showery weather forecast

News 3 reporter Gabrielle Harmon looked ahead to Juneteenth festivities planned to take place at Town Point Park. City leaders said events will continue whether its rain or shine, unless there is lightning.

There will be an opening ceremony at Town Point Park to kick off the festivities. In addition to food vendors, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in educational activities to learn more about the historical significance of Juneteenth.

June 19, 5:03 a.m. — Fleet of ships seen anchored near Lesner Bridge

Several ships scheduled to participate in the historic Sail250 Virginia Parade of Sail on Friday were spotted anchored near the Lesner Bridge. Many of the vessels were lit up, making them visible before sunrise.

News 3 Virginia Beach reporter John Hood said he recently saw a large group of people preparing to sail aboard the USCGC Eagle (WIX-327), the ship set to lead the parade.

Events information:

Sail250 Virginia Parade of Sail

Dozens of international tall ships along with hundreds of recreational and military vessels will sail through Hampton Roads in commemoration of America's 250th anniversary.

The fleet of ships will sail 26 nautical miles from the Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel (CBBT) to downtown Norfolk.

On Friday, the ships will set sail at 7 a.m., beginning with the hoisting of national colors. The USCG Barque Eagle will be the first tall ship to depart at 7:35 a.m.

America 250

Sail250 Virginia Parade of Sail route: When and where to catch the ship parade

Web Staff

All times are local and approximate; schedule subject to change based on conditions. Click here for updated viewing information and event details.

Juneteenth celebrations

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved people that they were free — more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

Across Hampton Roads, a variety of events will continue to honor and celebrate this important occasion.

America 250

Juneteenth in Hampton Roads: Events celebrating freedom, progress, Black culture

Web Staff

Harborfest 50

Harborfest will include the Sail250 Virginia Parade of Sail and a series of events at Town Point Park.

A fireworks show for Harborfest is scheduled for June 20 at 9:30 p.m. According to the Festevents website, it will be one of the largest waterfront pyrotechnic displays on the East Coast.

This year’s Harborfest will also feature stunt comedy performances, acrobatic acts, a family-friendly DJ set, and RC boating competitions. More than 50 food and beverage vendors will serve a variety of dishes at Town Point Park, including seafood, Greek food, and North Carolina barbecue.

Transportation information:

To help ease traffic congestion in popular destinations such as downtown Norfolk, Hampton Roads Transit will offer free transportation services on select routes throughout the weekend.

Transportation

HRT offers free transportation options during a busy upcoming weekend

Conor Hollingsworth

Interactive Traffic Map

Current weather forecast:

Meteorologist Myles Henderson says to expect mostly cloudy skies today with showers and storms building in this morning and moving out this afternoon. Rain will be heavy at times with a risk for localized flooding. Highs will only reach the low 80s today, about 15 degrees cooler than yesterday, but it will still be muggy.

The weekend looks good! We will see a nice mix of sun and clouds with highs in the upper 80s to low 90s. It will also be less humid this weekend, compared to the end of the work week.

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