Los Angeles city officials and military dignitaries came together aboard the Battleship USS Iowa, in San Pedro, on Wednesday, May 24, to officially kick off LA Fleet Week, the region’s celebrative salute to our seafaring armed forces.
The fast-growing coastal event returns this weekend – Friday to Monday, May 26-29 – with tours of active duty ships, aerial demonstrations, neighborhood activations across the Los Angeles area, live music and entertainment, ship tours, exhibits from the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Army — and more.
The main expo venue, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, will be set up alongside the Battleship USS Iowa, at 250 S. Harbor Blvd., near First Street in San Pedro, just south of the Vincent Thomas Bridge.
Officials say LA Fleet Week is the largest Memorial Day weekend event in Southern California.
“It is great to join you all in celebrating Los Angeles Fleet Week this Memorial Day weekend,” Bass said on Wednesday, joining the celebration for the first time as mayor.
The mayor shared how significant it was for her to be celebrating LA Fleet Week this year, as the daughter of a Coast Guard veteran.
“This is our opportunity to learn about the incredible technology and vessels that protect our shores,” she said, “and to meet some of the marines, sailors and members of the Coast Guard that serve our country.”
Fleet Week celebrations have begun, with military band performances across L.A. and neighborhood celebrations in San Pedro, Hollywood Downtown LA and Venice, Bass said. Soon to include tours of the visiting active military ships.
Three active-duty U.S. Navy ships – carrying more than 1,000 Sailors and Marines – and one U.S. Coast Guard ship will be berthed in San Pedro’s Outer Harbor at the southern-most coastline, Berth 46, at the end of Miner Street and beyond the S.S. Lane Victory. The Coast Guard ship – the Terrell Horne – will be located in the Downtown Harbor just south of the main LA Fleet Week Expo area.
“This event however is more than a celebration of our nation’s sea services but it’s an opportunity to thank the courageous members who proudly wear our nation’s uniform,” Bass said. “It’s also an opportunity to work with our military partners to continue to develop our partnerships with the Department of Defense and to lead forward and focus on disaster preparedness.”
A full lineup of events for LA Fleet Week can be found at lafleetweek.com. Admission is free, and shuttles will take visitors to the ships in the Outer Harbor for tours from the main expo.
“I encourage all those visiting to take a moment and engage with our visiting service members and thank them for their service,” Bass said. “I wish everyone a happy Memorial Day and Fleet Week.”
___
© 2023 MediaNews Group, Inc
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
