Fleet Week NYC 2012 is Here! Tons for Families to Do

This week is Fleet Week which means that housands of sailors, marines and Coast Guardsmen descend on New York City to celebrate sea services  and you get to see bands and demonstrations at The Intrepid, and tour other Military and tall ships as they visit New York Harbor (some are in Brooklyn!). Check out air ground demos, special Broadway performances and watch the military battle it out in the famous Tug of War.  Lastly, view the annual Memorial Day ceremony on the Flight Deck of Intrepid with an unfurling of the 100-foot-long American Flag.

Below is what is happening at Fleet Week.

Wednesday, May 23:
To kick-off the annual Fleet Week events, watch a special “Parade of Sail” commemorating the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 from Intrepid’s Pier 86 as vessels carrying visiting members of the Armed Forces and tall ships sail up the Hudson River from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.  Museum is open from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

Thursday, May 24:
Celebrate the 50th anniversary celebration of the Mercury-Atlas 7 Mission, when Intrepid served as the primary recovery vessel for the Mercury-Atlas 7 space mission and sent its helicopters to pick up astronaut Scott Carpenter.  Join Carpenter and others at the free ceremony at 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM.  Museum is open from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

Friday, May 25:
Enjoy a Fleet Week Broadway showcase hosted by Teddy Bergman and Greg Hildreth of Broadway’s Peter and the Starcatcher with performances by:  “The Gershwins’ Porgy & Bess,” “Ghost,” “Godspell,” “Priscilla Queen of the Desert,” “Rock of Ages,” “Sister Act,” “Chicago,” “Anything Goes” and “Memphis” from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.  Also featuring performances by “Potted Potter” —The Unauthorized Harry Experience—A Parody by Dan and Jeff at 2:00 PM, “Traces” at 2:30 PM, and the “Gazillion Bubble Show” at 3:00 PM.  Demonstrations of military skills and various interactive displays will take place on the pier from 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM.  Museum is open from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM.

At 7:30 PM, the Intrepid Summer Movie Series kicks off its series of free public film screenings on the flight deck with a screening of the classic film Top Gun.  Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.  Visitors are encouraged to bring food and beverages to the screening; however, alcohol is not permitted.

Tug of War. Copyright 2011 © Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

Saturday, May 26:
Cheer on visiting members of the Armed Forces as they compete in tug of war tournament from 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM on Pier 86.

Join “Sesame Street” Muppets Elmo, Rosita and Gordon for a live musical performance at 12:15 PM.

Demonstrations of military skills and various interactive displays will take place on the pier from 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM.  Museum is open from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM.

Stage performances. Copyright 2011 © Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

Sunday, May 27:
Travis and the Longhorns will perform at 12:00 PM, followed by musical performances by Sistas at 2:00 PM and George Gee Swing Orchestra at 4:00 PM.  Demonstrations of military skills and various interactive displays will take place on the pier from 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM.  Museum is open from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM.

Memorial Day commemoration. Official Marine Corps photo. USMC photo by Sgt. Paula M. Fitzgerald

Monday, May 28:
Honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while servicing in the United States Armed Forces by attending the annual Memorial Day commemoration ceremony at 11:30 AM.  The ceremony will include the unfurling of a 100-foot American flag, the playing of Taps, a ceremonial wreath laying, 3-volley rifle salute and a military flyover.  Free with price of admission to the museum.  Visitors can also climb aboard the US Army Corp of Engineers Hayward, a 124-foot-long boat that will be free and open to the public on Pier 86 from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.  Demonstrations of military skills and various interactive displays will take place on the pier from 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM.  Museum is open from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM.

*PLEASE NOTE: ALL FLEET WEEK EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE*

Touring U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard ships for Fleet Week.
You can visit ships in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island.  USS Wasp and USS Roosevelt will be docked in Manhattan, pier 92. All other U.S. Navy ships will be docked at the Homeport Pier in Staten Island. Also visit ships in Brooklyn.
Details:
Manhattan – ships are open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.at Pier 92
Staten Island – ships are open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Homeport Pier
Brooklyn – Ships are open Sat, Sun & Mon, May 26-28 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the coalition ships.
For more information, visit the official Fleet Week New York City Web site

Photo by Marilyn Jane. http://www.flickr.com/photos/marilynjane/3075330264/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Visit international Tall Ships
Thursday, May 24: Gloria (Colombia)
Friday, May 25 – Tuesday, May 29: Guayas (Ecuador)
Other Ships Visiting New York City: Cisne Branco (Brazil), Etoile (France), Belle Poule (France), Dewaruci (Indonesia), Cuauhtemoc (Mexico), Juan Sebastian Elcano (Spain), USCGC Eagle (USA)
Details: The tall ships in Manhattan will be open for visitation via Intrepid’s Pier 86. For more information, visit the official Fleet Week New York City Web site

FLEET WEEK DETAILS:
For all the programming details, visit Fleet Week’s official home page.
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum on Pier 86 (46 Street and 12 Avenue, Manhattan)