OpSail, Sailfest, and Cosmic Art

Happy Independence Day, everyone! If you don’t get your fill of patriotism today, the city is commemorating the War of 1812 bicentennial over the weekend. is fittingly titling its latest roundup of events the “Red White and Blue & Tall Ships Edition.”

OpSail 2012 Connecticut and Sailfest are teaming up this year to bring a huge celebration to the New London waterfront. Sailfest kicks things off with Friday night downtown entertainment. Several ships and aircraft will participate in the Parade of Sail up the Thames on Saturday morning, with the first ship rounding Ledge Light at 10 a.m. Throughout Saturday and Sunday, you can see musical performers, visit vendors, and tour ships at the waterfront, Fort Trumbull, and State Pier. The city is dedicating the new artwork of the at 1:45 p.m. on Saturday at the corner of Golden Street and Eugene O’Neill Drive. Sailfest’s renowned Mashantucket Pequot fireworks display bursts over the Thames at 9 p.m. on Saturday, and you can see the ships depart on Monday morning.

When it comes to music, the acts start at 5 p.m. on Friday at . The Sixth Annual Acoustic Music Festival kicks off a two-day concert on the same evening at 6:30 p.m. at . Bands return to the stage at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

Some artistic and historical exhibits are coinciding with the festival. On Thursday, the welcomes visitors to check out its exhibits on the War of 1812 and boating from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. opens a from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the same day, while Hygienic Art showcases “Cosmic Chaotic Pathways,” the work of artists Edward Belbruno and Joan Meyer. The opens up a War of 1812 exhibit put together by several historical societies, at 6 p.m. on Friday.

Or you could always just check out a good outdoor movie. Hygienic Art Park screens Jaws tonight at 8 p.m. On Tuesday, you bring a beach blanket and $5 and brings a flick. The film starts at sunset.

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