Los Angeles officials and Navy representatives will formally launch the 10th annual LA Fleet Week Wednesday as a U.S. Navy ship arrives at the Port of Los Angeles ahead of Memorial Day weekend festivities.
A news conference announcing the start of Fleet Week is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday aboard the Battleship USS Iowa Museum at the Port of Los Angeles.
Expected speakers include Mayor Karen Bass, Port of Los Angeles Police Chief Tom Gazsi, Pacific Battleship Center President and CEO Jonathan Williams and Rear Adm. Rich Jarrett, commander of Navy Region Southwest.
The free four-day event, scheduled for Friday through Memorial Day, will include tours of U.S. Navy and Coast Guard vessels, military and first responder exhibits, athletic competitions and live entertainment, according to port officials.
This year’s celebration will also include patriotic programming tied to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Public tours of active-duty ships will run daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Organizers said visitors will be able to obtain free tour tickets through a same-day virtual queue system.
More than 90 military and first responder exhibits are planned, along with the return of the “Galley Wars” cooking competition featuring teams from visiting ships.
Other events include a “Military Has Talent” singing competition, dodgeball, soccer and pickleball tournaments, aircraft demonstrations and food vendors, officials said.
Organizers will also host welcome events honoring military personnel. A downtown San Pedro reception is scheduled for May 21, while a second gathering will take place Thursday at the Banning Museum in Wilmington.
LA Fleet Week was established in 2016 as an annual celebration of the nation’s armed forces at the Port of Los Angeles. The event is organized by the Pacific Battleship Center with support from the port.
More information can be found at lafleetweek.com.