Mr Williamsburg, Revolutionary ideas on real estate!Hampton Roads Virginia

Operation Sail, Inc. (OpSail) and the U.S. Navy announced that Norfolk VA  will be one of five U.S. ports participating in 2012 festivities that commemorate the War of 1812 and the Star-Spangled Banner. As part of this celebration, U.S. Navy and tall sailing ships will be visiting the city in June 2012.

The Navy’s Blue Angel flight demonstration team is also on tap to perform during the OpSail visit. New Orleans, Baltimore, New York, and Boston are the other ports hosting OpSail events.

Norfolk and the Port of Hampton Roads will host the OpSail flotilla from June 6-11, 2012, in conjunction with Norfolk’s annual Harborfest celebration.
"As home to the largest Naval Base in the world and site where many of the battles of the War of 1812 were fought, Norfolk and the Port of Hampton Roads are particularly honored to host this event that recognizes the history of our U. S. Navy", said Paul D. Fraim, Mayor of Norfolk.  "We understand and appreciate the significance of maritime history and events like OpSail that are tremendous opportunities to educate and enlighten our citizens, especially our youth, about our history and the importance of our military forces."

Local officials touted the promise of OpSail 2012 to bring an influx of dollars and visitors as well as potential long-standing benefits.

Nearly 120 nations have been invited to participate in OpSail 2012, "This is like the Olympics coming to our locality," said Vice Mayor Anthony L. Burfoot. "This puts us on the world scene globally; people come out to OpSail."

The Operation Sail and U.S. Navy event, which will coincide in early June with Harborfest, will commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the birth of "The Star-Spangled Banner."

OpSail will give the region a chance to commemorate its significance to the war while celebrating its maritime heritage, officials said.

"One only has to look across the river to Craney Island and up the river to Fort Norfolk to see sites where the battles of 1812 were fought," Burfoot said. "The history of 1812 is right at our doorstep."

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