Albacore Park to Celebrate 25th Anniversary Today

Albacore Park will celebrate its 25th birthday today from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. with everything from guest speakers and former USS Albacore crew members to children activities and cake.

For 25 years, the USS Albacore has sat in the park located off the Route 1 Bypass. For $5, visitors can tour the inside of this Navy submarine and learn about the rich submarine tradition at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and the many sailors who served on these vessels.

John Maier, Albacore Park's executive director, said Friday afternoon the USS Albacore was commissioned by the Navy in December 1953, and was decommissioned in 1972. It was moved to Portsmouth in 1985 and opened to the public as a museum and memorial on Aug. 30, 1986. On Saturday, Maier said the USS Albacore will be lined with silver balloons to mark the occasion.

Throughout the day, Maier said crew members of submarines that are currently being maintained at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard will be in attendance to talk with the public about their experiences.

He said children will also be able to play different games and enjoy some submarine cakes. A special ceremony to commemorate the park's anniversary will be held at 11 a.m. The key note speaker will be Russell Van Billiard, whom Maier said played an instrument role in saving the Albacore and creating the park. The event is free to the public and tours of the submarine will be conducted throughout the day.