A sailor, a mermaid, and a crab walk into a bar…it must be Fleet Week!
“Fleet Week Festivals! Maryland Fleet Week & Flyover Baltimore” is a set of free events presented by Northrop Grumman, taking place June 12-18. It will feature three fun festivals, including two in Baltimore City (Inner Harbor & Fells Point) and one in Baltimore County at Martin State Airport.
The lineup will include live musical performances from local and Navy bands, food and drink, military- and maritime-themed exhibits, artist and maker booths, and family-friendly activities for all to enjoy. There will be a Crab Soup Cook-off, vintage aircraft to admire, a Navy bluegrass band, and a Rum Punch Tour.
“Maryland Fleet Week & Flyover Baltimore presented by Northrop Grumman is a week-long FREE celebration that brings together the ‘Fleet, Flights, and Festivals’, and honors the dedication of service members who defend our freedoms at sea and in the air, both past and present,” reads the press release. “It offers a chance for the public to board contemporary naval ships to see sailors’ work up close and to explore historic vessels, providing a window into naval life across history.”
Ever cognizant of the tragic backdrop against which the festivals will take place this year, the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, the organizers are working to balance respecting and paying tribute to those whose lives were lost or forever altered with bringing joy to a community bruised by recent events.
“We are mindful of the recent tragedy the community has faced with the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. We are collaborating closely with our partners to ensure Maryland Fleet Week & Flyover Baltimore is safe and celebratory. This year’s theme, #MarylandTough #BaltimoreStrong, reflects our community’s resilience and honors the enduring spirit of our waterfront and port,” said Chris Rowsom, Fleet Week 2024 Director for Living Classrooms.
Consistent with Baltimore’s historical and cultural identity that resonates both resilience and joy, Fleet Week 2024 will reflect both in three locations of festivities celebrating our naval heritage. What follows is a brief and hardly comprehensive summary of activities in each location and festival.
FLEET WEEK INNER HARBOR FESTIVAL
Friday, June 14 to Sunday, June 16 from 11 am – 8 pm
The Fleet Week Inner Harbor Festival is produced by Sail Baltimore and will comprise 25 bands on two stages over the course of three days. From country and rock to reggae, R&B, jazz, swing, and nautical-themed music, there will be something to suit every taste at the Inner Harbor Festival. There will also be a new “Stem to Stern” educational tent. A few details of the weekend include:
- Welcome Ceremony- Wednesday, June 12, 4-5 p.m., Inner Harbor Amphitheater- This is the official kick-off to MD Fleet Week & Flyover Baltimore and will include speeches from local dignitaries and Navy officials, a U.S. Navy Drill Team demonstration, ceremonial guard presentation and the U.S. Navy Band. Open to the general public.
- Crab Soup Cook-Off- Friday, June 14, 12-1 p.m., Inner Harbor Amphitheater Stage– Check out local chefs as they compete for the ultimate “Fleet Week Souper Bowl” trophy. The event, hosted by Downtown Kevin Brown from Nancy by SNAC, includes local celebrity judges and new for 2024, a “People’s Choice” award.
- Kids on the Bay Parade- Saturday, June 15, 11-11:45 a.m., West Shore Park along the Promenade– Local residents, families and kids alike are invited to participate in this casual, festive parade, complete with mermaids as well as the Oriole Bird, Doc the Tiger & TU Cheerleaders, Ravens Cheerleaders and even the literary favorite Rainbow Fish. It will kick-off the festival and be led by Naptown Brass Band. All are welcome to join the line of march!
- Local and regional Food & Beverage Vendors all weekend– Jay’s Seafood, Bar Movement, Black Horse Kettle Corn, Cakelady, Fiamme del Forno (Air Force & Navy veteran business) The Funnel Cake King, JD’s House of Bacon, Jimmy’s Famous Seafood, Raspberry Moments, Salty Sailor Coffee Company (veteran-owned coffee brand), Sweet Kam, Thai Elephant Wok, Virginia Foods, and more!
- Local Band Line-Up Announced! Enjoy FREE performances by: Trinidad & Tobago Steel Drum Band, Caleb Stine, Unity Reggae Band, Shelby Blondell Band, Proverbs Reggae Band, U.S. Navy Band Country Current, Naptown Brass Band, The Slip Hippies, Lost & Found, Patrick Alban & Noche Latina, Ship’s Country Chanteymen, Chris Riehl & The Mobtown 5, The Palovations, Whiskey Feathers, U.S. Navy Band Cruisers, Sweet Leda, Mia Samone Band, Nelly’s Echo, Tumblehome Band, U.S. Navy Band Commodores, The Shrapnels, BSO Orchkids/Booker T. Washington Middle School and more/Harborplace Summer Sunday Concert Series.
Fleet Week Fells Point Festival
Thursday, June 13, 5 pm – 9 pm
Friday, June 14, 2 pm – 9 pm
Saturday, June 15, 11 am – 9 pm
Sunday, June 16, 9 am – 4 pm
Monday, June 17, 10 am – 6 pm
The Fleet Week Fells Point Festival will feature live music and entertainment on Broadway Square and throughout Fells Point. There will be kid-friendly programming each day, including a youth edition of Battle of the Bands. Some activities include:
- 5K Fun Run in Fells Point + Rum Punch Tasting Tour, Thursday June 13, Beginning at 5 pm/Rum Punch Tour 5-8 pm– Festival organizers are partnering with Charm City Run to bring a FREE, casual 5k Fun Run to Fells Point that will begin and end at the Charm City Run Fell’s Point Store and will follow a path along the promenade. Following the 5k there will be a Rum Punch Tasting Tour through Fell’s Point neighborhood businesses! Enjoy live music by Soundtown on Broadway Square while strolling through the neighborhood enjoying a variety of Rum Punch recipes featuring Captain Morgan Spiced Rum!
- Fell’s Point’s BEST Crab Cake Contest, Friday, June 14, 3 pm– Participating Fells Point restaurants will enter to compete to win the title of the BEST crab cake. Event will include celebrity judges.
- Work Out With a Sailor, Saturday June 15 at 11 am– In collaboration with The Waterfront Partnership, MD Fleet Week & Flyover Baltimore welcomes sailors to the city and invites them to participate in the Waterfront Wellness program, a free outdoor fitness class.
- Family Fun Day, Monday June 17, 10 am – 6 pm with “gutter” races taking place between 1 pm -3 pm – The highlight of Family Fun Day will be highly competitive gutter races on Broadway Square! Kits available for purchase to build a boat to compete, but we highly encourage using reclaimed and repurposed materials! (creativity will be rewarded). The day will be chock full of free family-friendly programming including an exclusive movie screening when the sun goes down!
- Live Music Line-Up Announced all weekend! Enjoy FREE performances by: Ricky Wise Trio, Sound Town Baltimore, Marine Rock Band, Mallow Hill, Honest Lee Soul, Crushing Day, U.S. Navy Band Country Current, XTREME Queen, MILKSHAKE, Western Run, US Navy Band Cruisers, and Proverbs Rootz.
MARTIN STATE OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16, 9 am – 4 pm
The Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum (GLMMAM) will feature an open house and festival, thanks to a partnership with Baltimore County and Martin State Airport. There will be displays of military aircraft, musical entertainment, gift and souvenir booths, and food vendors. Attendees will be able to see aviators will take off and land. The museum will be free and open to the public all day for both days.
For more details about each of these festivals, click on this link.
