LOS ANGELES—Fleet Week will return to the Port of Los Angeles this year, officials announced this week.
The event historically was scheduled for Labor Day weekend in the fall but has been moved up this year to Memorial Day Weekend from May 27–30.
In 2020, the event was virtual and was postponed last year during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s event will coincide with Fleet Week in New York.
“Each year, LA Fleet Week draws hundreds of thousands of visitors from across Southern California to the Port of Los Angeles, showcasing the extraordinary history, culture and hospitality offered by the waterfront communities of San Pedro and Wilmington,” Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-Los Angeles), said in a release.
Fleet Week celebrates active military personnel as recently deployed military ships dock in several cities across the country for one week.
The Battleship USS IOWA Museum will serve as the anchor for the celebration. The location is home to the National Museum of the Surface Navy, expected to open in 2025 as the only national museum dedicated to the men and women of the Surface Navy.
“Battleship Iowa is the ideal location to host a celebration of the history and traditions of the United States Sea Services,” Jonathan Williams, president of the City of Los Angeles Fleet Week Foundation, said in a release.
Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said the return of Fleet Week was great news.
“This year is especially exciting because for the first time ever, we’re honored to welcome the women and men from both the United States Army and Air Force to join our long-awaited celebration,” Seroka said during a press conference May 6.
This is the largest annual event on the Los Angeles waterfront.
Activities at the event will include tours of active Navy ships, military displays, flyovers, and a science and technology exposition.
“Galley Wars,” a competition between military branches, will return for the event, Seroka said.
Fleet Week is also a platform for Los Angeles to conduct disaster management exercises between local first responders and service members from the Navy, Marines Corps, and the U.S. Coast Guard, he said.
“Our military guests will have a great opportunity to enjoy all that Los Angeles has to offer,” Seroka said.
This year’s event will feature the first “Freedom of the Seas Maritime Leadership Symposium,” an executive-level meeting between supply chain users, providers, policymakers, and others. Discussions are expected to include the strength and viability of U.S.-Indo-Pacific ocean trade, and supply chain issues, according to LA Fleet Week Foundation.
Live music will be on the menu all weekend. On Friday, May 27, American Idols will present a tribute to American heroes, featuring Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks. Then, on May 28, the event will feature Pearl, a country rock artist, and DJ Ravidrums, a high-energy fusion rock performer.
On Sunday, May 29, Sean Oliu & the Coastline Cowboys will deliver sweet country sounds and Coffey Anderson will play patriotic country.
On May 30, cover bands Identity Theft and Yachtley Crew will perform.
The music will be free. No reservations or tickets are needed.
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