Published: October, 2012
Ahoy! The fleet is in from October 4-8 as San Francisco opens its arms and piers for the 31st annual Fleet Week. With more ships, more sailors, more Marines, and more free family friendly events than ever, this year’s Fleet Week has expanded to include neighboring cities: Oakland and Alameda.
Continuing the focus on disaster preparedness, Fleet Week is featuring more "NERT" (Neighborhood Emergency Response Team) and "CERT" (Community Emergency Response Team) events to educate the community on how to prepare for a natural disaster. Plus, as usual, the skilled naval aviators of the Blue Angels will thrill with their extraordinary airborne maneuvers. In a change from previous years, ships of the United States Navy and Canadian Navy will be open for tours along San Francisco’s southern waterfront, docked at Pier 80. With the events of the America’s Cup World Series taking place at the same time, this move should reduce some of the congestion along the waterfront.
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 its round-the-world 14-month voyage. Consisting of 16 battleships of the Atlantic Fleet and various smaller vessels, this legendary flotilla featured hulls painted white except for the gilded scrollwork on their bows.
Throughout the 20th century, San Francisco was a major focus of naval operations and served as the headquarters of the United States Naval forces under Admiral Chester Nimitz during World War II. A generation of Liberty Ships and other military vessels were built, launched, serviced, berthed and later retired at historic sites at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Richmond’s Kaiser Shipyard, the Marin Shipworks, Treasure Island, Hunters Point Shipyard, Suisun Bay and the Alameda Naval Air Station.
Over the years, millions more San Franciscans have welcomed the United States Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard making its Fleet Week one of the City’s most treasured traditions. Under the leadership of then-Mayor Dianne Feinstein, the modern Fleet Week tradition began in 1981, honoring the dedicated men and women of the Armed Forces and their colleagues.
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. Its honorary co-chairpersons are United States Senator Dianne Feinstein and former Secretary of State George P. Shultz.
Following is an overview of the public events for San Francisco Fleet Week 2012 available at press time. All times are subject to change. An 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:
• 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.: Softball tournament between ships’ teams and local teams at US Coast Guard Island in Alameda
• 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Ships’ crews take part in area community outreach and service projects around San Francisco
• 1 – 5 p.m.: Air Show Rehearsal with the Blue Angels Survey Flights
• 6 p.m.: Speech at the Marines Memorial Club f o l l owed by a performance of the United States Marine Corps 1st Marine Division Band (free public event, but advance registration required via www.marineclub.com)
Friday, October 5
Ship Tours; The Blue Angels and Pier 39 Concerts
Highlights:
• 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.: Softball tournament between ships’ teams and local teams at Moscone Field in San Francisco
• 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Weapons displays at Alameda USS Hornet Pier
• 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Ships’ crews take part in area community service projects around San Francisco
• 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Ships of the United States Navy along with US Coast Guard and Canadian vessels will be open for tours along San Francisco’s southern waterfront at Pier 80
• 12 – 1:30 p.m.: United States Navy Band Concert at Scott’s Outdoor Pavilion at Jack London Square in Oakland.
• 12 – 2 p.m.: The Air Force Band, "Mobility", in concert at Pier39
• 12:30 – 3 p.m.: Air Show
• 4 – 5 p.m.: Blue Angels
• 7:15 – 7:45 p.m.: Blue Angels "Meet & Greet" at Pier 39
Saturday, October 6
TRX-24 Hour Fitness Workout, Fleet Week Parade & Ship Tours
Highlights:
• 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Static displays on the Marina Green
• 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Weapons displays at Alameda USS Hornet Pier
• 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Ships’ crews take part in Humanitarian Relief & Disaster Response Capabilities exercises and educational workshops at Marina Green
• 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Ships of the United States Navy along with US Coast Guard and Canadian vessels will be open for tours along San Francisco’s southern waterfront at Pier 80
• 10am: United States Marine Corps 1st Marine Division Band performs at Powell Street in San Francisco
• 1030 a.m.: TRX and 24 hour fitness workout the service-members of Fleet Week
• 11 a.m.: Ships of the United States Navy’s along with US Coast Guard and Canadian vessels set sail in the Parade of Ships
• 1 – 2 p.m.: First Marine Division Band Concert at Pier 39
• 12:30 – 3 p.m.: Air Show
• 4 – 5 p.m.: Blue Angels
• 4 – 7 p.m.: Cheeseballs Concert at Pier39
Sunday, October 7
San Francisco 49er’s Salute to Fleet Week & Italian Heritage Parade
Highlights:
• 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Ships of the United States Navy along with US Coast Guard and Canadian vessels will be open for tours along San Francisco’s southern waterfront at Pier 80
• 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Static displays on the Marina Green
• 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Weapons displays at Alameda USS Hornet Pier
• 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Ships’ crews take part in area community outreach and service projects around San Francisco
• 10 a.m.: TRX and 24 hour fitness workout the service-members of Fleet Week at Marina Green
• 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.: The Oakland Navy League BBQ at Pier 80
• 12:30 p.m.: Italian Heritage / Fleet Week Parade
• 12:30 – 3 p.m.: Air Show
• 4 – 5 p.m.: Blue Angels
• 4 – 7 p.m.: The United States Navy Band will perform a free concert for all to enjoy on San Francisco’s famous Pier 39.
• 1 – 6 p.m.: San Francisco 49ers Salute. The San Francisco 49ers host the United States Marine Corps 1st Marine Division Band and various local military commands at Candlestick Park for an unforgettable half time show
• 12 – 3 p.m.: Pop Rocks Concert at Pier39
• 4:30 – 7 p.m.: Navy Band, Southwest at Pier 39
Monday, October 8
Navy Band Concert & "Band Challenge"
Highlights:
• 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Ships of the United States Navy along with US Coast Guard and Canadian vessels will be open for tours along San Francisco’s southern waterfront at Pier 80
• 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Ships’ crews take part in area community outreach and service projects around San Francisco
• 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.: 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
