San Francisco's Fleet Week is facing new headwinds this year due to a federal government shutdown, impacting the typical lineup of military displays and performances that have become a hallmark of the annual event. While the Navy's elite Blue Angels are stalled out for the duration, officials are keeping the door open for a last-minute appearance, dependent on the political winds in Washington D.C. SFGATE reported that Fleet Week organizers haven't given up hope, saying, "If there is a swift decision on a federal funding bill or continuing resolution, we'll consider the circumstances and timing to determine how we might salvage military participation."
Despite the potential no-show from the Blue Angels, our neighbors to the north are swooping in, with the Canadian Forces Snowbirds confirmed to perform and the ARC Gloria from Colombia shining as the maritime centerpiece. Local businesses, especially those dotting the waterfront, are banking on Fleet Week's current lineup and charm to avoid a plunge in the usual lucrative earnings. Bob Partrite, COO of Simco Restaurants, told CBS News San Francisco, "It is one of the busiest weekends of the year," and with back-to-back happenings like Pier 39's 47th birthday, they're "going to have hopefully a pretty good first half of October."
The event, which usually draws a massive crowd to San Francisco's waterfront, kicked off today and will continue through October 13, overlapping with the Italian Heritage Festival & Parade. Most activities are hosted near the wharf, where spectators can flock to the Marina Green or Crissy Field for optimal views. However, the patriotic roar can ripple city-wide during the air shows, scheduled for October 11-13, as detailed by SFGATE.
