Fleet Week Press Release April 23, 2024 (2024)

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2024
Media Inquiries: Dorothy Fuchs-Yeager, Purple Dot Public Relations
Phone: 410-637-8337/410-598-1719 cell
[emailprotected]

FLEET WEEK FESTIVALS OFFER EXPANDED FOOTPRINT WITH MORE
ENTERTAINMENT AND HAPPENINGS
Additional Fells Point Location Enhances Fun and Festive Atmosphere

(Baltimore, MD)- April 23, 2024- What do a mermaid, a Crab Soup Cook-off, a vintage aircraft, a Navy bluegrass band, and a Rum Punch Tour all have in common? They will be part of this year’s Fleet Week Festivals! Maryland Fleet Week & Flyover Baltimore presented by Northrop Grumman, a FREE event taking place June 12-18, will feature THREE fun festivals, two in Baltimore City (Inner Harbor & Fells Point) and one in Baltimore County at Martin State Airport. The line-up this year promises to be stellar with plans that include plenty of lively musical performances from local and Navy bands, delicious food and drink, military and maritime themed exhibits, educational demonstrations and artists and makers booths as well as family-friendly activities.

“We are mindful of the recent tragedy the community has faced with the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. We are collaborating closely with our partners to ensure Maryland Fleet Week & Flyover Baltimore is safe and celebratory. This year's theme, #MarylandTough #BaltimoreStrong, reflects our community's resilience and honors the enduring spirit of our waterfront and port,” said Chris Rowsom, Fleet Week 2024 Director for Living Classrooms.

To find out more, log onto www.mdfleetweek.com, connect on social media channels through @mdfleetweek on Facebook and Instagram or call 866-639-3526 or check out the MDFleetWeek app on both iPhone and Android.

Fleet Week Inner Harbor Festival
Friday, June 14-Sunday, June 16, 11 a.m.- 8 p.m.

From country and rock to reggae, R&B, jazz, swing and nautical-themed music, there is something for everyone at the Fleet Week Inner Harbor Festival, produced by Sail Baltimore. Check out 25 bands on 2 stages over the course of the weekend plus, explore the NEW “Stem to Stern” educational tent. Special events and details include:

• Welcome Ceremony- Wednesday, June 12, 4-5 p.m., Inner Harbor Amphitheater- This is the official kick-off to MD Fleet Week & Flyover Baltimore and will include speeches from local dignitaries and Navy officials, a U.S. Navy Drill Team demonstration, ceremonial guard presentation and the U.S. Navy Band. Open to the general public.
• Crab Soup Cook-Off- Friday, June 14, 12-1 p.m., Inner Harbor Amphitheater Stage- Check out local chefs as they compete for the ultimate “Fleet Week Souper Bowl” trophy. The event, hosted by Downtown Kevin Brown from Nancy by SNAC, includes local celebrity judges and new for 2024, a “People’s Choice” award.
• Workout with a Sailor, Friday, June 14, 5:30pm, West Shore Park- In collaboration with The Waterfront Partnership, MD Fleet Week & Flyover Baltimore welcomes sailors to the city and invites them to participate in the Waterfront Wellness program, a free outdoor fitness class.
• Kids on the Bay Parade- Saturday, June 15, 11-11:45 a.m., West Shore Park along the Promenade- Local residents, families and kids alike are invited to participate in this casual, festive parade, complete with mermaids as well as the Oriole Bird, Doc the Tiger & TU Cheerleaders, Ravens Cheerleaders and even the literary favorite Rainbow Fish. It will kick-off the festival and be led by Naptown Brass Band. All are welcome to join the line of march!
• Exhibitors, Artists & Markers all weekend- Exhibitors include U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines, Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore National Heritage Area, Department of American Legion, Downtown Sailing Center, Jewish War Veterans of the USA, Post 167, Luke’s Wings, Maryland’s Commitment to Veterans, Naval Medical Research Command, Reveille Grounds, Sail Baltimore, and Vet Center (Department of Veterans Affairs), U.S. Navy Drill Team, U.S. Marines Martial Arts Team, and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, among others.
• Local and regional Food & Beverage Vendors all weekend- Jay’s Seafood, Bar Movement, Black Horse Kettle Corn, Cakelady, Fiamme del Forno (Air Force & Navy veteran business) The Funnel Cake King, JD’s House of Bacon, Jimmy’s Famous Seafood, Raspberry Moments, Salty Sailor Coffee Company (veteran-owned coffee brand), Sweet Kam, Thai Elephant Wok, Virginia Foods, and more!
• NEW “STEM to Stern” Educational Tent, Friday-Sunday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Constellation Dock- This special area will be designed to challenge and inspire youth to explore career opportunities in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math with some history and art sprinkled in to add to the fun.
• Local Band Line-Up Announced! Enjoy FREE performances by: Trinidad & Tobago Steel Drum Band, Caleb Stine, Unity Reggae Band, Shelby Blondell Band, Proverbs Reggae Band, U.S. Navy Band Country Current, Naptown Brass Band, The Slip Hippies, Lost & Found, Patrick Alban & Noche Latina, Ship’s Country Chanteymen, Chris Riehl & The Mobtown 5, The Palovations, Whiskey Feathers, U.S. Navy Band Cruisers, Sweet Leda, Mia Samone Band, Nelly’s Echo, Tumblehome Band, U.S. Navy Band Commodores, The Shrapnels, BSO Orchkids/Booker T. Washington Middle School and more/Harborplace Summer Sunday Concert Series.

Fleet Week Fells Point Festival
Thursday, June 13, 5-9pm
Friday, June 14, 2-9 p.m.; Saturday, June 15, 11 a.m.- 9 p.m.;
Sunday, June 16, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Monday, June 17, 10am-6pm

Enjoy three days of eclectic live music and entertainment on Broadway Square and throughout the neighborhood businesses. There will be kid-friendly programming each day including a youth edition battle of the bands and other kids entertainment. Special events include and details:

• 5K Fun Run in Fells Point + Rum Punch Tasting Tour, Thursday June 13, Beginning at 5 p.m./Rum Punch Tour 5-8 p.m.- Festival organizers are partnering with Charm City Run to bring a FREE, casual 5k Fun Run to Fells Point that will begin and end at the Charm City Run Fell's Point Store and will follow a path along the promenade.Following the 5k there will be a Rum Punch Tasting Tour through Fell's Point neighborhood businesses! Enjoy live music by Soundtown on Broadway Square while strolling through the neighborhood enjoying a variety of Rum Punch recipes featuring Captain Morgan Spiced Rum!
• Fell's Point's BEST Crab Cake Contest, Friday, June 14, 3 p.m.- Participating Fells Point restaurants will enter to compete to win the title of the BEST crab cake. Event will include celebrity judges.
• Youth Edition Battle of the Bands, Saturday, June 15, 11 a.m.- 1 p.m.- Stop by to hear music from local schools including School of Rock, Stages Music Arts, The Music Space, and Lee Priddy.
• Work Out With a Sailor, Saturday June 15 at 11 a.m.- In collaboration with The Waterfront Partnership, MD Fleet Week & Flyover Baltimore welcomes sailors to the city and invites them to participate in the Waterfront Wellness program, a free outdoor fitness class.
• Family Fun Day, Monday June 17, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. with “gutter” races taking place between 1-3 p.m.- The highlight of Family Fun Day will be highly competitive gutter races on Broadway Square! Kits available for purchase to build a boat to compete, but we highly encourage using reclaimed and repurposed materials! (creativity will be rewarded). The day will be chock full of free family-friendly programming including an exclusivemovie screening when the sun goes down!
• Live Music Line-Up Announced all weekend!- Enjoy FREE performances by: Ricky Wise Trio, Sound Town Baltimore, Marine Rock Band, Mallow Hill, Honest Lee Soul, Crushing Day, U.S. Navy Band Country Current, XTREME Queen, MILKSHAKE, Western Run, US Navy Band Cruisers, and Proverbs Rootz.

Martin State Open House: Saturday, June 15 & Sunday, June 16, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Baltimore County, in partnership withMartinState Airport and theGlennL.MartinMaryland Aviation Museum (GLMMAM), will feature an open house and festival that includes displays of military aircraft, musical entertainment, gift and souvenir booths and food vendors. Visitors will be able to watch aviators take off andland. In addition, the Museum will be free and open to the public all throughout these days.

The event is presented by premier sponsor Northrop Grumman, sponsored by Southwest Airlines and Innovative Consultants, LLC,and produced by Living Classrooms’ Historic Ships in Baltimore in partnership with the United States Navy, Maryland Department of Commerce Office of Tourism, City of Baltimore and Baltimore County as well as Sail Baltimore, Air Support LLC, Martin State Airport, United States Coast Guard, and Maryland Department of Transportation, along with participating support organizations Visit Baltimore, Waterfront Partnership, and Downtown Partnership. Additionally, the Fleet Week App, now available on both iPhone and Android platforms, will provide important and up-to-date information about the event. To find out more, log onto www.mdfleetweek.com, connect on social media channels through @mdfleetweek on Facebook and Instagram or call 866-639-3526.

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ABOUT MARYLAND FLEET WEEK & FLYOVER BALTIMORE
Maryland Fleet Week & Flyover Baltimore presented by Northrop Grumman is a week-long FREE celebration that brings together the "Fleet, Flights, and Festivals", and honors the dedication of service members who defend our freedoms at sea and in the air, both past and present. It offers a chance for the public to board contemporary naval ships to see sailors' work up close and to explore historic vessels, providing a window into naval life across history. The festival also features maritime, environmental, and aviation STEM activities and educational programs encouraging and challenging youth to explore career paths in the uniformed services, maritime, and technology sectors. Attendees will be treated to a dynamic line-up that includes ship tours of U.S. Navy vessels, flyovers from vintage, modern military and civilian aircraft, community festivals, and educational activities.

ABOUT THE U.S. NAVY
The United States is a maritime nation, and the U.S. Navy protects America at sea. Alongside our allies and partners, the U.S. Navy defends freedom, preserves economic prosperity, and keeps the seas open and free. The U.S. Navy remains prepared to execute its timeless role, as directed by Congress and the President, to defend American interests around the globe.

ABOUT LIVING CLASSROOMS FOUNDATION HISTORIC SHIPS IN BALTIMORE
Proudly stewarding and operating a distinguished fleet of seven Historic Ships located around Baltimore's Inner Harbor, Living Classrooms Historic Ships include two historic Naval vessels: the US Sloop-of-War CONSTELLATION and the US submarine TORSK. The USS CONSTELLATION is the last all-sail warship built by the US Navy and has a historic provenance dating back to the famous Baltimore-built 1797 frigate CONSTELLATION. The WWII-era Tench-class "fleet boat" submarine, USS TORSK, sank the last two Japanese enemy combatants of WWII and holds the record for the most dives of any US submarine. The US Coast Guard Cutter WHEC-37 is the last warship still afloat to witness the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

The additional Living Classrooms Historic Ships include the Lightship 116 Chesapeake, which for decades marked the entrance to the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays, and the Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse, built in 1856 to mark the entrance to the Patapsco River and Baltimore Harbor before being moved to Pier 5 in 1989, the iconic Skipjack Sigsbee, originally constructed in 1901, the 75-year-old Chesapeake Bay Buy Boat Mildred Belle, and the world’s only Pungy Schooner – Lady Maryland. Collectively, these Historic Ships reflect our dedication to preserving and sharing Baltimore's rich maritime heritage and educational programs with visitors locally and across the country. For more information, please visit Living Classrooms Historic Ships. New for 2024, these ships will be 100% free and open to the public – no admission fees.

ABOUT NORTHROP GRUMMAN
Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with capabilities they need to connect and protect the world and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our employees define possible every day.

ABOUT SAIL BALTIMORE
Sail Baltimore, founded in 1975 as Baltimore Operation Sail, LTD,is a unique non-profit that brings magnificenttall ships, historic and high-tech military vessels, and other ships of historic, educational and environmentalinterest from around the world, on behalf of the city and state. They have hosted more than 800 ships offering millions of visitors a FREE exciting opportunity to visit some of the world's greatest seagoing vessels – making ships happen since 1975, sailbaltimore.org.