Fleets, Flights, and Festivals
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Maryland Fleet Week and Air Show Baltimore returns October 3-9, 2018. This exciting event celebrates the rich maritime traditions of the Chesapeake Bay and the contributions of Marylanders to the defense of the nation. Expect “Fleets, Flights and Festivals” as this second biennial event comes at you from all directions—sea, sky, and land!
Baltimore is honored to be one of only seven cities across the country chosen to host Fleet Week. This is the city’s second time producing this prestigious event, so 2018 attendees can expect even more from the action-packed week of celebration.
This free, family-friendly extravaganza spreads from Fort McHenry to Martin State Airport. Details, such as the entertainment schedule, will be added to the website MDFleetWeek.org as the event nears.
Lucky for us, Canton provides a prime location to get in on the action.
On October 6 & 7, find a spot on a rooftop deck or in Canton Waterfront Park to catch the U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds as they headline the exhilarating air show from noon-4:00 p.m. October 4-8, head down to Canton Pier 13 off Newgate Avenue from 1:00-6:00 p.m. to explore the Liberty Ship SS John W. Brown and the Nuclear Ship Savannah, part of the hometown fleet. Note: events and schedules are subject to change. Check the Maryland Fleet Week website for the latest information.
FLEET
Viewing the Ships
October 4-8 • 1:00–6:00 p.m.
Nearly a dozen U.S., Canadian & British Navy and U.S. Coast Guard vessels will be open for tours in the Inner Harbor, Fells Point, Canton, and Locust Point.
FLIGHTS
Air Show Baltimore
October 6 & 7 • noon–4:00 p.m.
View the most exceptional and expansive air show—the largest to occur in Baltimore—in the skies over Fort McHenry and Middle Branch. The USAF Thunderbirds will headline the event with flying demonstrations from the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Other feature performances include the Canadian F-18 demo; the GEICO Skytypers, a flight squadron of six vintage WWII aircraft; a salute by the hometown team with the USAF A-10 Demo; Scott Francis with his aerobatic flying and daring MXS maneuvers, and much more. Performers, attractions and static displays are subject to change.
FESTIVALS
Fleet Week Festival October 5-7
Friday and Saturday 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Sunday 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Experience the expanded Fleet Week Festival, stretching from Rash Field and the Maryland Science Center around the promenade to the National Aquarium, filling the Inner Harbor with exhibitors and vendors from maritime, military, cultural, and history organizations. Enjoy hands-on activities, local food and drink, musical acts, and other entertainers.
“Meet the Fleet” Happy Hour
October 5 • 5:00–8:00 p.m.
Meet visiting sailors and enjoy local music and more at West Shore Park.
Fort McHenry Park Experience
October 5-7 • 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Enjoy ranger talks, living history demonstrations, food and entertainment at Fort McHenry.
Martin State Airport Open House
October 6 & 7• 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
View the unique and contemporary aircraft on the ground at the Martin State Airport Open House and Free Festival. Watch airshow aviators take off and land from this location. Activities will include meet and greet sessions with the pilots, displays of military aircraft, musical entertainment, souvenirs and food vendors.
While you’re out and about enjoying the festival, snap a “Selfie with a Sailor” and post to social media with #mdfleetweek. Oh, and keep an eye out for the official Fleet Week signature drink—lots of Baltimore bars will be partnering with the celebration to feature a special libation.
NEW! FLEET WEEK 5K RACE
Sunday, October 7 • 9:00 a.m.
New to the event will be the Fleet Week 5K Race to benefit Historic Ships in Baltimore. Over 200 sailors and 1,000 local runners will participate in a 5K Race that wraps around the Inner Harbor on Sunday morning. To register, visit www.charmcityrun.com/calendar/fleetweek5k
For more details about Maryland Fleet Week Baltimore, visit www.mdfleetweek.org, facebook.com/mdfleetweek, or @MDffleetweek. To show support, please use #mdfleetweek. To become a sponsor, to donate, or to participate, contact fleetweekadmin@historicships.org.
Fleet Week is produced by Historic Ships of Baltimore in collaboration with many city, state and national partners. Historic Ships in Baltimore is a program of the Living Classrooms Foundation, which has its roots in the maritime heritage of the Chesapeake Bay. For more than 30 years, Living Classrooms has been providing hands-on maritime and environmental education programming for Baltimore area youth and adults. For more information about these amazing non-profits, visit www.historicships.org and www.livingclassrooms.org.