Fleet Week soars back into Bay Area
The tall ships will parade into San Francisco Bay, and the Navy’s Blue Angels will take to the skies for San Francisco’s annual Fleet Week, a celebration of the nation’s Navy and Coast Guard that runs through Monday. Activities include a Fleet Fest at Piers 30/32, more than 25 free military band performances throughout the city (including one playing in the Italian Heritage Parade on Sunday), an exhibit of artworks by veterans and a K-9 police dog demonstration. Want a glimpse of day-to-day shipboard life? Free ship tours are offered Saturday, Sunday and Monday at various piers on the waterfront. The big events start Friday with the Parade of Ships under the Golden Gate Bridge and into San Francisco Bay at 11:30 a.m. The ever-popular Blue Angels and a wide range of other aerial performers will perform from noon to 4 p.m. Friday-Sunday (3 p.m. for the Angels). A million people combined are expected to watch the shows, so plan your transportation and viewing spots accordingly. Guaranteed waterfront seating at the Marina Green runs $75-$85. On Monday, the U.S. Marine Corps Band will kick off the High School Band Challenge, an annual event that features Bay Area high schools competing for prize money for their music programs, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Golden Gate Park in the band shell (Spreckels Temple of Music). The band from Santa Teresa High School in San Jose has won the last two years. Details: Find times, piers, other activities and transportation/parking tips at www.fleetweeksf.org.