It’s a Bird. It’s a Plane. It’s Coming From Canada to Save SF’s Fleet Week

After the federal government shutdown took effect this week, some San Francisco residents and businesses were devastated by reports that the city’s Fleet Week air show,  which has become synonymous with the Blue Angels, could lack its star performers.

But next weekend’s highly-anticipated performance will go on regardless — thanks to Canadian captains.

While Fleet Week organizers have yet to formally cancel the Blue Angels’ appearance, the Navy said in a statement earlier this week that unless the shutdown is quickly quashed, which Democratic representatives say isn’t likely, military personnel will not be able to participate.

Regardless of whether U.S. officers, aircraft carriers and ships are able to travel to San Francisco to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Fleet Week, though, people who flock to the city’s northern neighborhoods to watch impressive flight formations and thrilling low-to-the-ground fly-bys from military crews each October won’t be left without a show.

Canada’s Snowbirds, the Royal Canadian Air Force’s demonstration team, are set to appear in the event for the first time since 2017, among “many other performers,” according to Fleet Week’s communications director David Cruise. Ships are also still confirmed to visit from Canada and Colombia.

“San Francisco Fleet Week is as much a civic tradition as a military one — honoring all those who are called to serve, from our military to first responders and everyone involved in civic service,” Cruise said via email Tuesday. “No matter the circumstances, San Francisco Fleet Week will continue to stand as a tribute to service, resilience, and community.”

The Navy said Tuesday if a deal is reached quickly, it could salvage military participation.

“Our Sailors and Marines look forward to participating in the unparalleled training and outreach events Fleet Week provides,” the branch of the armed forces said in a statement, adding that officers would be disappointed if they have to sit out the event. “Our hope is for a swift decision on a funding bill.”

But with no end to the deadlock in sight, many of the week’s highly anticipated activities — and visitors — will be sorely missed.

Throughout the seven-day event, some city clubs offer military personnel free entry, and bars host huge parties attended by both city dwellers and tourists hoping for a run-in with a pack of seamen.

“Sailors about!” one Reddit user said of the weeklong affair. “Every bar is packed with sailors for three days. Long live Fleet Week!” another chimed in.

Harrington’s Bar and Grill, an Irish pub in the Financial District, is promoting a Friday block party to celebrate Fleet Week.

“North Beach especially, and parts of the Marina, you just get roving packs of sailors out on shore leave to have a good time,” said Ben Bleiman, who owns Harrington’s and has worked in San Francisco’s entertainment spaces for decades.

He said the weekend is often one of the highest-grossing for local bars and restaurants, and anchors their sales for the month of October.

“When I walk around the North Beach and Marina or other areas during Fleet Week, it feels like Chicago in the summer where people are just overflowing out of the restaurants and bars and walking down the street going from location to location,” he said. “It is one of the biggest party weekends of the year, one of the biggest social weekends of the year. And in some areas, it’s definitely the biggest.”

In addition to the groups of uniformed sailors walking down city streets or drinking in North Beach’s iconic bars like Vesuvio Cafe, the military personnel and equipment are integral to a packed agenda of official events planned for the week.

The online schedule includes multiple “Hoops with the Troops” pickup basketball games, more than a dozen performances by the armed forces’ various quintets and bands, and tours of service members’ living quarters and day-to-day routines about naval ships and aircraft carriers.

Sailors and Marines also often make stops at local charities and schools.

Some of those events will likely be canceled, or lack their VIP guests, but Bleiman said Fleet Week will go on.

“Having done this for 20 years, I think it’s obvious that the sailors are a portion of the [event], but really it’s the entire vibe that brings everyone out,” Bleiman said.

Mayor Daniel Lurie said Tuesday that the city was monitoring the situation.

“We have not gotten word, but we’re in touch with our allies and friends in D.C. and trying to understand what’s going on there,” he said.