Fleet Week returns Oct. 8–11

October means fall is in the air – and so are the Blue Angels. The Bay Area will be opening its ports and airspace to visiting military brigades for the 29th Bay Area Fleet Week celebration this month. Festivities include naval parades, ship tours, concerts, and fireworks displays from Friday, Oct. 8 through Monday, Oct. 11, but by far the most well known of the events are the Friday, Saturday and Sunday air shows that feature the aerobatic maneuvers of the Blue Angels. The highlights of the week include:

Thursday, Oct. 7:
• Ships arrive
Friday, Oct. 8:
• Public ship visits
• Full air show rehearsal from 1 p.m.–4 p.m. with the Blue Angels at 3 p.m.
• Evening band concert at the Marines’ Memorial Theatre
Saturday, Oct. 9:
• Parade of Ships from Golden Gate Bridge to various piers
• Public ship visits
• Military Band concert
• Fleet Week air show from 1 p.m.–4 p.m. with the Blue Angels at 3 p.m.
• Blue Angel autograph session and evening military band concert at Huntington Park
• VIP reception for CERT, NERT and Core volunteers
Sunday, Oct. 10:
• Early morning photo shoot with sailors, Marines and Coasties on Lombard Street
• Public ship visits
• Combined Italian Heritage/Fleet Week parade with marching Navy, Marine and Coast Guard units
• Fleet Week air show from 1 p.m.–4 p.m. with the Blue Angels at 3 p.m.
• Band concert in Washington Square
• Half-time band performance for S.F. 49er’s football game
Monday, Oct. 11:
• Public ship visits
• Band challenge at the Golden Gate Park Band Shell with local high schools
Tuesday, Oct. 12:
• Ships depart

More details, times and locations and information about reserved seating options on the Marina Green can be found at www.fleetweek.us/Hospitality.html. The Saturday and Sunday air show commentary will also be simulcast on 560 AM KGO radio

The free “Navy in Space” exhibition will return to Fort Mason Center, Building D, Room 100 on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 9–10, from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (except during the Blue Angels show). The exhibit features artifacts from the W Foundation, the Chabot Space & Science Center, and the USS Hornet Museum with an emphasis on the naval history of space exploration. The public will have a rare opportunity to touch and hold space-flown artifacts from the U.S., Russian and Soviet space programs. Shuttle astronaut John Herrington will also make a special guest appearance.

Pier 39 will also host a Fleet Week Celebration, with music and entertainment during the weekend from noon to 7 p.m. each day.