Want to Ride on the USS Constitution?

Want to go for a ride on the USS Constitution?

You can enter a lottery between now and April 29 for a chance to do just that.

After a three-year hiatus, the USS Constitution has officially opened its lottery program to the public. Crews have been restoring the ship since 2008.

The lottery invites 150 winners to ride Constitution for her annual July 4th turnaround cruise. Each winner will be allowed to bring one guest, and all winners and guests must be of or between the ages of eight and 70.

But competition for a slot on the Constitution is stiff: The lottery is open to  individuals anywhere in the United States.

Entries must be made by completing an entry form and returning it by e-mail or mail. The lottery will close April 29 and the drawing held May 2. To enter the lottery or for more information on the lottery program, visit www.history.navy.mil/ussconstitution/Lottery.html.

The July 4th turnaround cruise celebrates the nation's birthday by firing from Constitution's saluting batteries a 21-gun salute exchange with Fort Independence located on Castle Island. The voyage is about 4.5 miles total, typically lasting three hours.

"Our partners at the Naval History and Heritage Command Detachment Boston have completed a major restoration of the ship, further restoring her to her 1812 configuration," Cmdr. Timothy M. Cooper, Constitution's 71st commanding officer wrote, in a press release.

"As part of that work, the caprail has been lowered almost two feet and a section of the waist in the vicinity of the main hatch has been removed. In addition to her more accurate look, the ultimate benefit to our guests is that they will now have a better view of Boston as the ship moves through the harbor."

The USS Constitution is located in the Navy Yard of Bostrbor. She is the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat and welcomes more than 500,000 visitors a year.

For more information on Constitution, visit www.history.navy.mil/ussconstitution or www.facebook.com/ussconstitutionofficial.

For more news from USS Constitution, visit www.navy.mil/local/constitution.