San Francisco’s annual Fleet Week will continue this year despite the absence of the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels, who are grounded due to a federal government shutdown. Organizers announced that international participants from Canada and Colombia will help ensure the event goes forward.
The ARC Gloria, a three-masted vessel serving as the official flagship of the Colombian Navy, is scheduled to arrive at the Port of San Francisco on Thursday. In addition, the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Snowbirds will be featured in this weekend’s air show.
Fleet Week was founded in 1981 by the late U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein as a tribute to members of the armed forces.
“And nearly every October since, the sound of jets has become a familiar soundtrack over the city,” said San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie during a press event at Fisherman’s Wharf, where American, Colombian, and Canadian flags were displayed.
The festival draws more than one million visitors each year. Attendees frequent local hotels and restaurants and participate in activities such as live music performances, ship tours, and exhibits focused on military preparedness and disaster response.
Organizers assured that this year’s air show would maintain its high standards with military aerobatic demonstrations by the Snowbirds.
Sonia Marina Pereira Portilla, Consul General of Colombia, commented on San Francisco’s role as host for ARC Gloria: “the culture, the identity and the goodwill” of Colombia are brought by the tall-ship as it visits ports worldwide.
