SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — SF Mayor Edwin M. Lee today kicked off the celebration of the 31st Anniversary of San Francisco Fleet Week and highlighted the lineup for San Francisco Fleet Week 2012. “Fleet Week is a San Francisco tradition and we take this opportunity to salute the men and women in uniform serving and protecting our country,” said Mayor Lee.
“During Fleet Week in San Francisco, we are promoting greater preparedness for the next emergency or disaster and are reflecting on our shared humanitarian assistance to those in need around the world.”
San Francisco and Fleet Week share a long and storied history that originated in 1908 with the arrival of the “Great White Fleet” to the Bay during their round-the-world 14-month long voyage. Over the years, millions more San Franciscans have welcomed the United States Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard making this Fleet Week one of the City’s most treasured traditions. In 1981, under the leadership of Mayor Dianne Feinstein, the modern Fleet Week tradition began by honoring the dedicated men and women of the sea services.
The skilled naval aviators of the United States Navy Blue Angels will thrill with their extraordinary airborne maneuvers. In a change from previous years, for the 2012 Fleet Week, ships of the United States Navy, United States Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy will be open for tours at San Francisco’s Southeastern waterfront, docked at Pier 80. The first U.S. military hybrid vessel, the United States Navy USS Makin Island, will be open for tours at Pier 30/32.
San Francisco Fleet Week is now the venue for Bay Area residents and first responders and the U.S. military to meet, train and share the latest lessons learned from recent Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response operations. These activities help raise awareness and better equip the Bay Area to respond and recover from disasters and features “NERT” and “CERT” team events to educate the community on how to prepare for a natural disaster.
Overview of public events for San Francisco Fleet Week 2012:
Up-to-the-minute schedule of public events is available online at www.fleetweek.us
Thursday, October 4
Sailors and Marines on Liberty in San Francisco, Interagency Softball Tournament & Tribute Concert at Marines Memorial Club
Highlights:
· 8am – 12pm: Softball tournament between visiting military teams and local law enforcement teams at US Coast Guard Island in Alameda.
· 8am – 4pm: Ships’ crews take part in area community outreach and service projects around San Francisco
· 1pm – 5pm: Air Show Rehearsal with the Blue Angels
Friday, October 5
Ship tours; The Blue Angels and PIER 39 Concerts
Highlights:
· 8am – 12pm: Softball tournament between visiting military teams and local law enforcement teams at Moscone Field in San Francisco
· 8am – 4pm: Ships’ crews take part in area community service projects around San Francisco
· 8am – 4pm: Weapons displays at Alameda’s USS Hornet Pier
· 9am – 5pm: Public tours of the United States Navy along with US Coast Guard and Canadian vessels at Piers 30/32 & 80 on San Francisco’s southern waterfront (check www.fleetweek.us for full schedule)
· 12pm – 1:30pm: United States Navy Band Concert at Scott’s Outdoor Pavilion at Jack London Square in Oakland, CA.
· 12pm-2pm: The Air Force Band, “Mobility”, in concert at PIER 39
· 12:30pm – 4pm: Full Air Show, featuring the Blue Angels
· 3:30pm – 4:30pm: Navy Band “Southwest” in concert at PIER 39
· 5:30pm – 6:30pm: 1st Marine Division Band in concert at PIER 39
· 7:15pm – 7:45pm: Blue Angels “Meet & Greet” at PIER 39
Saturday, October 6
Humanitarian Assistance Village, TRX on the Green Fitness Challenge, Fleet Week Parade, Air Show & Ship Tours
Highlights:
· 8am – 4pm: Humanitarian Assistance exhibits and activities on the Marina Green
· 8am – 4pm: Weapons displays at Alameda USS Hornet Pier
· 9:30am – 4pm: Military, Public and Civilian exhibits and education workshops on Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Response Capabilities at Marina Green.
· 10am: United States Marine Corps 1st Marine Division Band performs at the Powell Street Cable Car Turn Around in San Francisco
· 10:30am: TRX on the Green Fitness Challenge with US Military on Marina Green, presented by 24 Hour Fitness
· 11am: Ships of the United States Navy along with US Coast Guard and Royal Canadian vessels set sail in the Parade of Ships
· 12:30pm – 4pm: Full Fleet Week Air Show featuring the Blue Angels
· 1pm – 4pm: Public tours of the United States Navy along with US Coast Guard and Canadian vessels at Piers 30/32 & 80 on San Francisco’s southern waterfront (check www.fleetweek.us for full schedule)
· 1pm – 2pm: United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps “Band of the Golden West” in concert at PIER 39.
· 6pm: Speech at the Marines Memorial Club followed by a performance of the United States Marine Corps 1st Marine Division Band (free public event, but advance registration required via www.marineclub.com )
Sunday, October 7
San Francisco 49er’s Salute to Fleet Week & Italian Heritage Parade
Highlights:
· 8am – 4pm: Humanitarian Assistance exhibits and activities on the Marina Green
· 8am – 4pm: Weapons displays at Alameda USS Hornet Pier
· 9am – 4pm: Ships’ crews take part in area community outreach and service projects around San Francisco
· 9:30am – 5pm: Military, Public and Civilian exhibits and education workshops on Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Response Capabilities at Marina Green.
· 10am: TRX on the Green Fitness Challenge open to the public on Marina Green, presented by 24 Hour Fitness
· 11am – 4pm: The Oakland Navy League BBQ at Pier 80 for visiting military and their families only
· 12pm – 3pm: Pop Rocks Concert at PIER 39
· 12noon – 4pm* Full Fleet Week Air Show featuring the Blue Angels
* Including America’s Cup World Series Racing 2pm to 2:30pm.
· 12:30pm: Italian Heritage / Fleet Week Parade in North Beach, featuring the US Navy Band, and the USMC 1st Marine Division Bands
· 1pm – 4pm: Public tours of the United States Navy along with US Coast Guard and Royal Canadian vessels at Piers 30/32 & 80 on San Francisco’s southern waterfront (check www.fleetweek.us for full schedule)
· 4:30pm – 7pm: Navy Band, Southwest at PIER 39
Monday, October 8
Navy Band Concert & “Band Challenge”
Highlights:
· 9am – 4pm: Public tours of the United States Navy along with US Coast Guard and Royal Canadian vessels at Piers 30/32 & 80 on San Francisco’s waterfront (check www.fleetweek.us for full schedule)
· 9am – 4pm: Ships’ crews take part in area community outreach and service projects around San Francisco
· 10am – 1:30pm: The 1st Marine Division Band will host a “Band Challenge” with young musicians from area high schools at the Band Shell in Golden Gate Park.
· 5pm: 1st Marine Division Band Tribute Performance at the Marines’ Memorial Club to Honor the Fallen (FREE public event, but advance registration required via www.marineclub.com)
Public Transit Information:
For those people taking ship tour, there will be limited free parking available at Pier 80. However, people are encouraged to take public transit to all destinations along the waterfront when possible. Avoid parking hassles and bike, walk or Go Green to Fleet Week on Muni. For Muni route and service information, go to www.sfmta.com/fleetweek.
About San Francisco Fleet Week Association:
Fleet Week originated in 1908 when President Theodore Roosevelt’s “Great White Fleet” visited our City. It has been a San Francisco annual tradition since 1981 when then-Mayor Dianne Feinstein established it as a city celebration. Since 1981, it has been an annual opportunity for Northern Californians to honor the men and women serving in the United States Navy, Coast Guard, Marines, as well as international navies.
The San Francisco Fleet Week Association is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to honor the dedication to duty and sacrifices of the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces and to conduct and offer disaster preparedness training. San Francisco Fleet Week’s honorary Co-Chairpersons are United States Senator Dianne Feinstein and former Secretary of State George P. Shultz.
