The Bay Area pays tribute to the men and women of our nation's Navy and Marine services this weekend with the annual Fleet Week celebration. Most San Francisco residents don't need to be told when Fleet Week happens, as the window-rattling practice sessions of the Blue Angels usually tip off anyone who was not in the know when the jets begin their low-altitude survey flights Thursday afternoon (there are also practice sessions over the Bay on Friday). If that's not enough, the influx of sailors from around the world taking over popular nightlife neighborhoods is another sure sign that Fleet Week has arrived.

Approximately 10,000 military service members and nearly a million air-show spectators are expected to flock to San Francisco for this year's events, which mark the 31st anniversary of Fleet Week's current form. The expanded festivities to honor the men and women in the naval services began in 1981, under then-Mayor Dianne Feinstein.

The weekend festivities kick off Saturday morning at 10 a.m. as U.S. Navy's Parade of Ships brings a flotilla of various ships under the Golden Gate Bridge including the Amphibious Assault Carrier USS Makin Island and the guided missile destroyers USS Spruance and USS Preble. The Blue Angels were the subject of some heated debate at San Francisco's City Hall a few years ago as some supervisors called for a ban on the aerobatic troupe. But the Angels will once again headline the aerobatics display over the Bay, anchoring an air show that also features the Royal Canadian Airforce CF-18 Demo Team, Patriots Jet team, Lucas Oil aerobatic champion Michael Wiskus, Sean Tucker and his Team Oracle plane and a host of other military airships.

Beginning on Tuesday, the America's Cup World Series teams will be racing on the Bay with open practice followed by Wednesday’s Match Race Qualifying. Championship Racing will be held starting Thursday, culminating with the Super Sunday at 1:55 p.m. when the America’s Cup World Series San Francisco champion will be crowned.

The thousands of people gathered at the waterfront with blankets and picnic lunches filling Marina Green to capacity have to be prepared for possible cool weather that can dampen the festive atmosphere, but San Francisco's Indian summer usually obliges with sunny days. Families can also take a free tour of a variety of naval ships docked in the Bay for the weekend events and enjoy three days of live bands at Pier 39, including performances by cover bands The Cheeseballs and Pop Rocks. For more information, please visit the San Francisco Fleet Week 2012 website.

San Francisco Fleet Week
Thursday-Sunday, October 4-8, most events and ship tours free
Marina Green and SF waterfront