Special Guests, Performances Added to Battleship New Jersey’s Return to Camden

Thursday, June 20th may mark the first day of summer, but the date will also mark the return of the Battleship New Jersey to Camden Waterfront. Some special guests have just been added to the celebration!

A huge 'Welcome Home' party has been planned for the Navy's most-decorated-ever battleship, as there should be. But she'll be back to much fanfare nearly three months to the day since she moved to receive repairs.

Back on March 21st, the USS New Jersey (BB-62) sailed off to the Philadelphia Naval Yard to be dry-docked, leaving the Camden side of the Delaware River for the first time in more than 20 years.

Why the Naval Yard? Battleship NJ needed a slip roughly the size of two football fields to accommodate repairs, according to inquirer.com.

Why Was Battleship New Jersey Moved to Philadelphia?

In order to preserve the vessel, the time had come for it to undergo some repairs and get a fresh coat of paint. 5,000 gallons of paint, according to Battleship New Jersey. Marshall Spevak, of Cherry Hill, who was reportedly overseeing the battleship's maintenance, said the improvements were long overdue.

Famed Battleship New Jersey Sets Return Date to Camden, NJ Waterfront

The vessel is reportedly having upgrades made to its ballast at Paulsboro Marine Terminal this week ahead of its return to Camden Waterfront.

Battleship N.J. will officially sail back to Camden Waterfront on Thursday, June 20th where it will dock around 1:20 p.m.

USS New Jersey's return party will commence at 11 a.m. on June 20th. It's only a $10 donation to attend and there will reportedly be refreshments available, live music, and games.

Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band, Philly Sports Mascots Join Battleship NJ Party

The world's favorite and longest running Bruce Springsteen tribute band, B Street Band, will be performing at the waterfront, battleshipnewjersey.org reports.

The famous Philadelphia sports mascots, including the Phillie Phanatic and Gritty from the Flyers will also be on hand to pep up the crowd.

Feel like cruisin' the Jersey Shore this summer in a new way? Check out these floating Tiki bar boats.