“Riding the tide of the highly successful Sailabration in 2012 and Star-Spangled Spectacular in 2014, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels will return as a feature of Maryland Fleet Week and Air Show in Baltimore October 10 to 17,” says Connie Yingling, communications specialist at the Maryland Office of Tourism. “This will be Maryland’s largest air show, with additional military and civilian aviation teams flying over Fort McHenry and the Inner Harbor.”
“Joining seven other elite cities, Baltimore’s Locust Point, Fell’s Point, and the Inner Harbor will host U.S. and Canadian naval vessels, which will be open for free public tours. In all, this event will celebrate Maryland’s extensive maritime heritage and the rich naval traditions of the Chesapeake Bay,” Yingling explains. In addition to ship tours, visitors will find family-friendly activities, such as ships’ crew sporting competitions, community service projects, and educational activities.
The air show is scheduled for October 15 and 16. If you plan to go by boat, be aware that viewing areas along the Middle Branch of the Patapsco River may be limited, and in some areas recreational boating traffic will be restricted while the show is in progress. However several public viewing sites are accessible downtown, including the area around the Inner Harbor and Fort McHenry. Another way to see the planes is at the Martin State Airport Open House, at which visitors may watch the Blue Angels take-off and land, get an up close look at the planes, and obtain autographs from the pilots.
Schedule of Events:
Thursday, October 13, 2016
9am-1pm – “Navigate the Fleet – Explore the Ships Day!” Students descend on the Inner Harbor and throughout the
Port of Baltimore for educational experiences from U.S. and Canadian Navy Ships and Navy assets.
1pm-6pm – U.S. & Canadian Navy Ships Open for public touring. (Inner Harbor, Fells Point, Locust Point)
1pm-6pm – Fleet Week Shuttle to U.S. Navy Ships in Locust Point (leave from Inner Harbor Visitor Center)
1pm-6pm – Fleet Week Festival presented by AT&T - Fleet, Fun, Entertainment and More! (Inner Harbor)
Friday, October 14, 2016
9am-2pm – Fleet Week “Crew Sports Day” Teams compete in softball, basketball, corn hole and soccer (Latrobe Park, Locust Point)
1pm-6pm – U.S. & Canadian Navy Ships open for public touring. (Inner Harbor, Fells Point, Locust Point)
1pm-6pm – Fleet Week Festival presented by AT&T - Fleet, Fun, Entertainment and More! (Inner Harbor)
1pm-6pm – Fleet Week Shuttle to U.S. Navy Ships in Locust Point (leave from Inner Harbor Visitor Center)
7pm-9pm – “Meet the Fleet & Selfie with a Sailor!” (Power Plant Live, Downtown Baltimore)
Saturday, October 15, 2016
6am-3pm – Baltimore Running Festival/Marathon throughout the city - many road closures until 1-3pm
10am-5pm – Martin State Airport Open House and Free Festival, U.S. & Canadian Navy and Blue Angels (Martin State Airport)
11am-9pm – Fleet Week Chesapeake Galley & Beer Garden (West Shore Park, Inner Harbor)
1pm-4pm – Air Show Baltimore Performance (viewing throughout area at/near Fort McHenry plus other area locations)
1pm-6pm – U.S. & Canadian Navy Ship Tours open for public touring (Inner Harbor, Fells Point) No Locust Point tours
1pm-6pm – Fleet Week Festival presented by AT&T - Fleet, Fun, Entertainment and More (Inner Harbor)
5pm – USS ZUMWALT Commissioning Ceremony – Advance Invitation Only
Sunday, October 16, 2016
10am-5pm – Martin State Airport Open House and Free Festival, U.S. & Canadian Navy and Blue Angels (Martin State Airport)
12pm-6pm – Fleet Week Chesapeake Galley & Beer Garden (West Shore Park, Inner Harbor)
1pm-4pm – Air Show Baltimore Performance (viewing throughout area at/near Fort McHenry plus other area locations)
1pm-6pm – U.S. & Canadian Navy ships open for public touring. (Inner Harbor, Fells Point, Locust Point)
1pm-6pm – Fleet Week Shuttle to U.S. Navy Ships in Locust Point (leave from Inner Harbor Visitor Center)
1pm-6pm – Fleet Week Festival presented by AT&T - Fleet, Fun, Entertainment and More (Inner Harbor)
Monday, October 17, 2016
8am-12pm – U.S. & Canadian Navy Ships depart out of the Harbor
The week will also include the commissioning of the most powerful, technologically advanced U.S. Navy Destroyer, the USS Zumwalt DDG 1000, at the Port of Baltimore October 15. With major design innovations and a stealth profile, this surface ship definitely looks futuristic. Tickets for the commissioning are by invitation only, but it’s worth checking out the website to get a glimpse of the newest class of ships.
All Fleet Week and Air Show events are free. Large crowds are expected, and temporary road closures and parking restrictions will be in effect October 15, due to the Baltimore Marathon. Traffic will also be restricted on Fort Avenue near Fort McHenry October 15 and 16 due to the air show. City parking garages or use of public transportation is suggested.
For more info, click to visitmaryland.org/things-to-do/fleet-week.
