It’s late May, and that means Fleet Week is coming to New York City. A tradition since 1935, Fleet Week allows naval crews to enter the city and visit its tourist attractions.
From May 23, through May 30, active naval ships will be docking in NYC, kicking off with the Parade of Ships at the Hudson River on Manhattans West Side.
The week will see a variety of events open to the public. People from the Tri-State area are welcome to go and meet Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen and take tours of several ships, such as a U.S. amphibious assault ship and a Finnish minelayer, among others from Finland, Japan, Canada and the United Kingdom.
This Fleet Week also marks the Bicentennial of the War of 1812, a military conflict fought between the United States and Britain 200 years ago.
Aside from free ship tours throughout the week, there is a lot going on this Fleet Week.
On Thursday, May 24, there will be Air & Water Demonstrations at 9 a.m., followed by two different aviation events at two separate locations at 12:30 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. U.S Marine Corps. Day will take place in Battery Park on Friday May 25, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with more aviation events happening throughout the day at various locations. Saturday, May 27, features more diverse activities such as USMC Day in Times Square from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., featuring performances by the Navy Band Northeast and USMC Band. Air &Land Demonstrations will take place at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Staten Island will host the Staten Island Music Festival at 1 p.m. The following Sunday will consist of more aviation events as well as the Staten Island War of 1812 Commemoration Events at Ft. Wadsworth and Military Bands in Times Square.
The week closes out with continued ship tours and aviation events.
For more information on Fleet Week events visit www.fleetweeknewyork.com
