May 24, 2021
Ryan Sneddon
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Editor
This year's Commissioning Week won't look like one we've ever seen. A full schedule of events is available on the Naval Academy website. These are the main events you should know because you might want to go, or you might just need to know how to avoid the traffic.
Congrats to all the graduates!
The ace pilots of the F/A-18 Super Hornets will arrive in town between 11 AM and 1 PM Tuesday, May 25. At 2 PM, they'll do a rehearsal for the main show—scheduled for 2 PM on May 26.
Route 450 (Naval Academy Bridge) will be closed from 10:45 AM to 1 PM on Tuesday. It will close again from 1:45 PM until the end of the flight rehearsal (around 4 PM).
The bridge will close on Wednesday from 10:45 AM to 1 PM if weather prevents the jets arrival circle Tuesday. It will close from 1:45 PM until the end of the flight demonstration (around 4 PM).
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 5/25 and 5/26: 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.
Wherever you watch, tag us in your photos or use the hashtag #NaptownScoop!
The graduation ceremony is the last event of Commissioning Week and starts at 10 AM on Friday, May 28. 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. Vice President Kamala Harris is set to deliver the commencement speech.
Tickets are required but anyone can tune into the live stream.
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.
We're not going to sugarcoat it. Traffic and parking might drive you up a wall this week. Even with attendance limited due to Covid, there will be many visitors in town. Please be patient with out-of-town drivers who don't navigate Annapolis' crazy 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.
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