Greer's OC

The LA Waterfront will be bustling and buzzing with activity this upcoming Labor Day Weekend, as Southern California’s new end-of-summer tradition—LA Fleet Week^®  2019—officially gets underway. Starting Thursday, Aug. 29 through Labor Day Sept. 2, the free public event celebrating the U.S. Sea Services is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to the LA Waterfront.

Highlights this year include:

• Welcome Party – In honor of visiting U.S. Sea Service members arriving on U.S. Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps ships, a Welcome Party kicks off LA Fleet Week on Thursday, Aug. 29. Sponsored by the San Pedro Business Improvement District, the Welcome Party will be held at 398 W. 6th Street in downtown San Pedro starting at 6:30 p.m. and is open to the public. Visitors can also enjoy a complimentary public screening Thursday night of the fighter pilot blockbuster classic Top Gun, made possible through Paramount Studios and FilmLA. The film will be shown from 9 -11 p.m. at the Historic Warner Grand Theatre in downtown San Pedro.

• Concerts and Entertainment – Friday night begins a weekend of great live entertainment when world-famous Cheap Trick takes the event’s Main Stage for a Military Appreciation Concert. Local San Pedro band Wingtips will warm up the show with its 50/60s vintage sound. Saturday night’s entertainment, features The Record Company, a Grammy-nominated American rock band along with a lineup including Fast Times the original 80’s tribute cover band, and Soul Sacrifice, a tribute to the legendary sound of Carlos Santana. Headlining Sunday night’s concert will be DJ Miss Ninja, who will spin everything from Top 40, Hip Hop, Disco to Classic Rock, as well as multi-award-winning country music entertainer and recording artist, Brent Payne. All entertainment throughout the four-day LA Fleet Week event is free to the public, but capacity is limited, so guests are encouraged to arrive early to secure a spot.

• Public Military Ship Tours - Get an up-close and personal tour of an active U.S. Navy, Coast Guard or Marine Corps vessel. Learn about the ship’s history and what daily life and work is like on an active military ship. Tours will be conducted daily from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Aug. 30-Sept. 2, on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity is reached. No advanced registration or tickets are required. Closed-toed shoes for ship tours are required. (no sandals or flip flops). 

• Navy Leap Frogs and Aerial Demonstrations – New this year will be spectacular daily jumps into the event (weather permitting) by high-flying U.S. Navy Leap Frogs, the official parachute team of the U.S. Navy and its Naval Special Warfare Command. Dozens of aerial demonstrations by U.S. Navy fighter jets, U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue (SAR) teams and other military and first-responder aircraft will take place daily between 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. 

All public activities will take place next to the Battleship IOWA Museum at the LA Waterfront at the Port of Los Angeles. For specific directions, use 100 Swinford Street, San Pedro,  or 250 S. Harbor Blvd., in San Pedro. Because the event footprint is extensive and outdoors, sunscreen and hats are recommended.

For a full list of all LA Fleet Week activities and events, go to LAFleetWeek.com.