San Diego celebrated the nation’s first Fleet Week 80 years ago, and is gearing up this year for a series of events beginning on Labor Day weekend and continuing into November.
Organizers released a detailed schedule Thursday that begins with a tailgate party Sept. 5 for military families at Qualcomm Stadium before the football game between San Diego State and the University of San Diego and ends with another football game on Nov. 14.
As in past years, the annual highlight is the air show at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, which will be held Oct. 2-4.
Other events on the schedule are:
- Fleet Week Foundation/San Diego Military Advisory Council Breakfast, Sept. 16 at the Admiral Kidd Conference Center
- Enlisted Recognition Luncheon, Sept. 17 at SeaWorld San Diego
- Coronado Speed Festival Car Procession, Sept. 17 at Rotary Park
- Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival and Navy Open House, Sept. 19-20 at Naval Air Station North Island
- Fleet Week Golf Tournament, Sept. 25, Admiral Baker Golf Course
- Marine Corps Recruit Depot Boot Camp Challenge, Sept. 26 at MCRD San Diego
- Cabrillo Festival, Sept. 27 at Navy Base Point Loma
- Fleet Week Football Classic, San Diego State vs. Wyoming, Nov. 14 at Qualcomm Stadium
The Cabrillo Festival is new to Fleet Week this year, and will celebrate the discovery of San Diego by recreating the voyage of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. A full-scale replica of the vessel he sailed into San Diego Bay in 1542, the San Salvador, was launched Wednesday in Chula Vista.
The Coronado Speed Festival and Navy Open House, a Fleet Week staple, will include a celebration of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.
City News Service contributed to this article.
