It is going to be an extraordinary gala commemorating the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the birth of "The Star-Spangled Banner," not the usual kind of celebration, but one washed in canvas sails, lapping waves, and with luck, sunshine and blue skies, too.

It's still 17 months until OpSail 2012 sails into the Thames River Harbor July 6-8, 2012, but for organizers tasked with unraveling the logistics the clock is already ticking. It takes a lot of planning to prepare for a river full of tall ships and Navy vessels and for handling the hundreds of thousands of spectators who will come to see the spectacle.

There is also the substantial challenge of raising the dollars to make that all possible.

New London is fortunate to be one of eight ports taking part in the 2012 parade of tall ships. The fact that southeastern Connecticut is home to the Naval Submarine Base, the Coast Guard Academy and Electric Boat shipyard makes it all the more significant. This port is a natural for the gala that will pay tribute to the U.S. Navy, the historic War of 1812 and the birth of the country's national anthem.

But before everyone starts planning their own personal viewing parties, consider what help businesses, civic and fraternal organizations and others can lend to the cause. Businessman John S. Johnson is chairman of OpSail's New London Port Committee, which will hire a professional events firm to organize and coordinate a master plan, involving everything from berthing, entertainment, communications, logistics, volunteers and, of course, the necessary financing.

This sail parade and display will be different from the highly successful OpSail 2000 in a big pecuniary way. The state, municipalities and the business community no longer have the disposable cash they did a decade ago to help underwrite an event of this size.

Today's economy is not nearly so robust and many of the corporate sponsors from a dozen years ago are weakened themselves, or no longer operating, and many will not be able to help in the manner they did previously. Even the state, which anted up more than $6 million for the 2000 event that attracted an estimated 900,000 people over three days, is broke. So Mr. Johnson said the OpSail 2012 committee will be looking for smaller donations, but more of them.

And, while he expects the event to be just as grand, if not more so because of the Navy's involvement, expenses will likely be more than halved.

The city of New London has already initiated a much-needed $5 million repair and upgrade of City Pier, and a

$1 million improvement for the Waterfront Park and other downtown public spaces. These will be of long-term benefit to the city. Former Gov. M. Jodi Rell awarded the city $50,000 toward OpSail 2012 preparations and the New London City Council pledged $10,000 as seed money for the planning group.

OpSail 2012 should swell pride for anyone who feels an affinity to the sea, an allegiance to the Navy or is interested in American history. Almost 40 tall ships filled the harbor in 2000, helping to showcase the deep-water port and boosting business at shops, eateries, motels, and other businesses in the region.

Now it's going to happen again. Get ready and consider how you might be able to help raise the funds necessary to make OpSail 2012 the extravaganza it deserves to be.