May 15, 2023
Ryan Sneddon
|
Publisher
Commissioning Week is one of the busiest and most exciting weeks in Annapolis! About 1,000 Midshipmen are all set to leave the Academy. Some will go on to be our Navy's newest officers. Others will go to the Marine Corps.
These are the main events. Maybe you want to go. Maybe you just want to avoid the traffic. Either way. We gotcha covered.
A full schedule of events is available on the Academy website.
Highlight of the week in my mind. The ace pilots of the F/A-18 Super Hornets will arrive in town between 11 AM and 1 PM Tuesday, May 23. Around 2 PM, they'll do a rehearsal for the main show which is set for the next day at 2 PM.
The jets will also fly over Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium during the graduation ceremony at 10:04 AM.
Please remember that all Blue Angel events are weather dependent. It's also not very precise on timing. They could very well start the 2 PM show at 2:30 PM and they rarely make official announcements announcing delays.
Anywhere with a cracking view of the sky above the Annapolis harbor should provide an enjoyable experience. On land suggestions include the World War 2 memorial across the Naval Academy Bridge, dead end streets and parks downtown and in Eastport, and your coolest friend's roof, balcony, or waterfront backyard.
Being on the water is my favorite way to watch the show. Put your own boat in (and do it early), find a friend with a boat (my go-to), or hop on a paddleboard or kayak. Several companies (like Watermark) offer Blue Angels cruises but these sell out hours after they're announced. Remember that for next year.
If you are on the water, there will be restrictions between 9:30 AM and 4 PM on 5/23 and 5/24: No anchoring or boating in the following areas on the Severn River and its tributaries: North of the quick flashing light at the south end of the Naval Academy seawall to Greenbury Point and South for a line marked by the Rt. 450 Severn River Bridge (Naval Academy Bridge). All boats including those tied to private docks are prohibited from navigation in this exclusionary zone.
The controlled areas will be clearly marked and there will be many Coast Guard, DNR, Harbormaster, police, and fire rescue boats on patrol. Follow instructions quickly if they're given. Especially from the scary guys with guns.
Wherever you watch, tag us in your photos!
The graduation ceremony is the last event of Commissioning Week and starts at 10 AM on Friday, May 26. It's held at the Navy football stadium. Stadium gates open at 7 AM for ticket holders. Parking gates open at 6:30 AM.
At 10:04 AM, the Blue Angels will fly over. Speech duties rotate year to year between the President, Vice President, and Secretary of Defense. President Biden spoke last year. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III will take the microphone this year.
Commencement is not open to the general public. Tickets are required.
There will be no state employee parking at the stadium Friday. Use the Calvert Street garage instead. Traffic will be extremely heavy around the stadium until around 3 PM.
To mark the end of freshman year, all the plebes will try to climb the Herndon Monument. Atop the 21-foot, granite obelisk is a plebe hat called a dixie cup. The goal: climb the tower, knock off the dixie cup, replace it with a cover—aka upperclassmen's hat. Simple enough. If the seniors hadn't chucked 50 pounds of vegetable shortening all over the thing. Then there's the never ending hose spray. Also compliments of the seniors.
Once the deed is done, the plebes are known as fourth class midshipmen. The Herndon Monument is in front of the Chapel. Enter through Gate 1. The climb starts at 8 AM Wednesday and ends at well... who knows? Class of '72 did in 90 seconds—albeit with no grease. Class of '98 took 4 hours and 5 minutes. Although in their defense, the dixie cup was taped and glued.
Class of 2024: 3 hours, 41 minutes
Class of 2025: 3 hours, 36 minutes, 58 seconds
We're not gonna sugarcoat it. Traffic and parking might drive you up a wall this week. Especially with the Hillman Garage out of commission. Please be patient with out-of-town drivers who don't navigate Annapolis' thin streets regularly.
Pro tip #1: reserve garage parking online in advance.
Pro tip #2: park at the Knighton Garage or Park Place and take the free Circulator downtown.
An absolute Annapolis classic. You can go 100 times and you'll notice something different on the walls every time. You can't go wrong with the fish tacos, crab cakes, or boss burger. You can't really go wrong with anything actually.
400 Fourth Street, Annapolis, MD 21403
Just over the Eastport Bridge. This fine dining establishment has a dazzling view of downtown Annapolis, our harbor, and the Naval Academy. Be sure to make a reservation ASAP. That view makes it one of the most popular restaurants around.
300 Second Street, Annapolis, MD 21403
Located next door to the Westin on West Street. Say that 5 times fast. Some of the best Italian food in the area. Scoop's pick: get the scallops casino style.
1 Park Place, Annapolis, MD 21401
Nestled in the center of West Street. Light House Bistro serves up polished American cuisine for breakfast and lunch. It was created in partnership with local nonprofit, The Light House, to give people with employment barriers the opportunity to learn skills, develop a resume, and earn a living wage.
202 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
A newcomer to the Annapolis scene but quickly becoming a local favorite. This Latin fusion spot is owned by the same people who brought us Rise Up Coffee so you know it's gotta be good. Get there right when they open at 4 PM if you don't want to wait for a table. My faves: Jalapeño poppers, chorizo dip, and chips and guac.
137 Prince George Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
A personal favorite of Naptown Scoop. This small but might café has fresh and delicious options for breakfast and lunch daily. And the views are almost as good as Chart House Prime. Which makes sense considering they're neighbors.
303 Second Street Unit A, Annapolis, MD 21403
An Annapolis staple located in the thick of it all on Main Street. Chick & Ruth's has just about everything you could want. For the daring, try the Man vs. Food challenge—a 6 pound milkshake coupled with a 3 pound burger!
165 Main Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Prime steaks and chops, Italian classics, out-of-this-world desserts . . . what's not to love about Tuscan Prime? Oh, and the owner's daughter goes to the Naval Academy! Read Scoop's review.
1905 Towne Centre Blvd Suite 100, Annapolis, MD 21401
British Virgin Islands-inspired waterfront restaurant & bar on Annapolis's famous Ego Alley. Pusser's is the quintessential Annapolis experience. You cannot come here without getting a painkiller.
80 Compromise Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
A cornerstone of Annapolis down by City Dock. McGarvey's offers fresh seafood, a friendly old school atmosphere, and an unforgettable experience.
8 Market Space, Annapolis, MD 21401
A dining experience unlike any other. Every Wednesday and Saturday, part of West Street shuts down and turns into a beautiful outdoor dining scene. Have a backup plan in case of inclement weather! Participating restaurants: Rams Head Tavern, Luna Blu, Picante, Tsunami Sushi Bar & Lounge, Stan & Joe's Saloon, and 49 West Coffeehouse, Winebar and Gallery.
If you want the full Annapolis experience, it doesn't get much better than this. The Choptank has the only publicly accessible waterfront rooftop dining in Annapolis and it's literally 6 feet off of Ego Alley. On the menu you'll find seafood staples (crab cake, rockfish, oysters, etc.) as well as lots of options for those who prefer their food with legs to fins.
110 Compromise Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
There's plenty of fun to be had when you're not watching the best pilots in the world flying 18 inches apart or a bunch of plebes climb an oiled up obelisk.
The premier concert venue in Annapolis. This intimate venue hosts everyone from the local street musicians to national acts. Don't miss the Lone Bellow on May 22. Here's the show calendar.
33 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Be sure to swing by Annapolis's newest entertainment emporium, complete with vintage games like pinball, Pac-Man, Skeeball, and more!
114 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Do you have what it takes to escape? Mission Escape Rooms tests your group's ability to work together solving clues and puzzles to get out of a locked room! Home of the only escape room I've ever failed.
40 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Learn about our rich maritime history and the ecology of our beloved Chesapeake Bay. You can also book a ride on the historic Wilma Lee—one of just 23 skipjacks still sailing the Bay!
723 Second Street, Annapolis, MD 21403
Explore 340 acres of nature including trails, playgrounds, and pavilions that are perfect for a picnic. Quiet Waters Park is open 7 days a week from 7 AM to dusk and there's a $6 entry fee (cash only).
600 Quiet Waters Park Road, Annapolis, MD 21403
Located just off Church Circle. This museum is dedicated to documenting, interpreting, and promoting African-American history and culture in Maryland.
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Built by one of Maryland's four signers of the Declaration of Independence. This restored 18th-century mansion provides insight into the inner workings of an upper class household in colonial Annapolis. And wait until you see the garden. It's absolutely gorgeous.
186 Prince George Street, Annapolis, Md 21401
Everyone knows about Main Street. But you can't miss Maryland Avenue. It's a street full of hidden gems right off state circle. Don't miss Mango + Main, Old Fox Books, or Galway Bay!
Graduation only lasts a couple hours. But if you do it right, the memories you make during Commissioning Week will last a lifetime.
Share this story with your neighbors
We're that funny, deal finding, hip and relevant friend you wish you had. And we'll email you all the Annapolis news and events every weekday morning. For free.
© 2022 Waffle Cone LLC
All Rights Reserved