Kyle McClenagan

Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Corbin J. Shea/Released

The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) conducts operations at sea. Kearsarge is the flagship for the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Corbin J. Shea/Released)

Houston’s first-ever Fleet Week starts Wednesday and will feature 20 events honoring the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard.

Fleet Week Houston will take place from April 15-22, bringing Navy and Coast Guard ships to the Port of Houston. Throughout the week, local residents and visitors will have the opportunity to tour several of the participating ships as more than 1,00 sailors, Marines and Coast Guard members are set to visit Houston.

Fleet Week was originally scheduled for Nov. 5-12 of last year, but was postponed in October because of a prolonged shutdown of the federal government. The event as initially scheduled would have coincided with the 250th birthdays of both the Navy and the Marine Corps. It will now coincide with the 250th anniversary of the United States’ founding.

RELATED: Historic documents dating back to U.S. founding are coming to Houston

Here’s a breakdown of Fleet Week events throughout the Houston region. Some are free and open to the public, while others are ticketed events:

Wreath Laying Ceremonies — Seven Wreath Laying Ceremonies will take place throughout Fleet Week.

  • 8-8:30 a.m. April 16 — Veterans Memorial Park, 1896 Tidwell Rd., Houston
  • 10-10:30 a.m. April 17 — Bear Creek Park Harris County War Memorial, 3535 War Memorial Dr., Houston
  • 1:30-2 p.m. April 17 — Vietnam War Memorial, 11360 Bellaire Blvd., Houston
  • 9-9:30 a.m. April 18 — Fallen Warriors Memorial, Cutten Rd., Houston
  • 9-9:30 a.m. April 20 — John H. Reagan World War II Memorial Plaza, 1017 Heights Blvd., Houston
  • 6-7 p.m. April 20 — Bay Area Veterans Memorial, 1106 Main St., Seabrook
  • 8-8:30 a.m. April 21 — Medal of Honor The Woodlands, Town Green Park

Tuesday, April 14

  • Buffalo Bayou Music in the Park presented by ExxonMobil — Although Fleet Week doesn’t begin until April 15, the Navy Band’s “world-class” woodwind quintet will be in Houston a day beforehand to perform at Buffalo Bayou Park. The performance will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. April 14 at The Water Works Buffalo Bayou Park, 105 Sabine St. in Houston.

Wednesday, April 15

  • Parade of Ships — Fleet Week Houston officially kicks off Wednesday morning with the Parade of Ships in Galveston as the participating ships make their way to the Port of Houston. The parade begins at 7 a.m. April 15 at Seawolf Park, 100 Seawolf Park Blvd. in Galveston.

Thursday, April 16

  • Fleet Week on the Plaza — This free event will feature live music from “The Suffers,” an American soul, funk and R&B group from Houston. The Navy Band Southeast will also be in attendance and guests can enjoy food trucks, games, photos and more. This event will run from 6-9 p.m. Thursday at the Avenida Houston Plaza.

RELATED: See the ships participating in Houston’s first Fleet Week

Friday, April 17

  • Fleet Week Festival: Saint Arnold’s Salute to the Sea Service — Saint Arnold’s Brewing Co. will host a Fleet Week Festival featuring music, market vendors, and, of course, beer and food. The “Beer Olympics” will also take place, allowing attendees to compete against service members in a series of challenges. The festival will take place from 5:30-9 p.m. April 17 at Saint Arnold Brewing Co., 2000 Lyons Ave. in Houston.
  • Cruis’n Through at Bad Astronaut — “Food, friends, and fun” will be on offer as Bad Astronaut Brewing Company hosts visiting sailors, marines and guardsmen. The event will feature beer, games and more. This event will take place from 6-10 p.m. April 17.
  • Salute & Sip: Fleet Week Reception at SpindleTap Brewery – SpindleTap Brewery will be hosting Fleet Week’s Senior NCO Reception, featuring food, brews and fun. The reception will take place from 6-9 p.m. April 17 at the SpindleTap Brewery, 10622 Hirsch Rd.

Saturday, April 18

  • Fleet Week Houston Aviation Exhibit Day One — The Ellington Airport and Lone Star Flight Museum will be hosting an interactive exhibit featuring historic and modern-day military aircraft. The exhibit will be from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. April 18 at the Lone Star Fight Museum, 11551 Aerospace Ave. However, the last entry for the event is at 3 p.m.
  • Fleet Week EXPO Day One — The Fleet Week EXPO is one of the week’s major events, featuring interactive experiences, entertainment and demonstrations. Organizers said the EXPO serves as the launch point for the buses taking visitors to the ship tours at the port. The EXPO will take place from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on April 18 at POST Houston, 401 Franklin St.
  • Concert in the Park Presented by ExxonMobil —The Navy Ceremonial band will be performing a free concert at the Houston Botanic Gardens. The concert is set to take place from 1-2 p.m. April 18 at the Houston Botanic Gardens, 1 Botanic Ln.
  • East End Block Party — A backyard barbecue will take place in Houston’s East End with live music, Lucha Libre wrestling and BBQ from local pit masters. The block party will take place from 3-9 p.m. April 18 at Navigation Esplanade, 2800 Navigation Blvd.

Sunday, April 19

  • Fleet Week Houston Aviation Exhibit Day Two — Day two of the aviation exhibit will take place from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. April 19 at the Lone Star Flight Museum, 11551 Aerospace Ave. Last entry for the event is at 3 p.m.
  • Fleet Week EXPO Day Two — Day two of the EXPO will take place from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. April 19 at POST Houston, 401 Franklin St.
  • Exhibition at Sylvan Beach — The City of La Porte and Harris County Precinct 2 will host an exhibition at Sylvan Beach, giving the public a chance to see high-action demonstrations and interactive displays up close. The exhibition will take place from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. April 19 at Sylvan Beach Park, 636 N. Bayshore Dr. in La Porte.
  • Navy Ceremonial Band at HMNS — The Navy Ceremonial Band will be performing in honor of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. The performance will take place from 1-2 p.m. at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, 5555 Hermann Park Dr.
  • Concert in the Park Presented by ExxonMobil — The Navy Ceremonial Band will be performing a second free concert at the Museum of Fine Arts. The concert will take place from 4-5 p.m. April 19 at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Sculpture Garden, 1001 Bissonnet St.
  • USO Dancing With the Stars and Stripes — Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen will be paired up with professional dancers to “showcase their talent and love for dance.” This event will take place at Neon Boots Dance Hall, 11410 Hempstead Rd., from 6-11 p.m. April 19.

Monday, April 20

  • VetConnect Day — Several organizations, including the Texas Veterans Network, Combined Arms, Texas Workforce Commission, and Texas Veterans Commission, will host VetConnect Day. The event is designed to help veterans and retiring service members, and their families, find employment. The VetConnect Day will be from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. April 20 at San Jacinto College’s LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical Energy & Technology, 7901 Fairmont Pkwy. in Pasadena
  • Fleet Week Street Festival & Drone Show Seabrook — The City of Seabrook will host a street festival and drone show in honor of Fleet Week Houston. The festival will feature food, drinks and market vendors. The festival will take place from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. April 20 along Main Street between Bryan Avenue and Todville Road in Seabrook.

Tuesday, April 21

  • Maritime Tuesday Lecture — The Houston Maritime Museum will host a lecture on the Navy’s role in protecting shipping lanes. The lecture will take place from 6-7 p.m. April 21 at the Houston Maritime Center and Museum, 2940 Riverby Rd., Suite 200

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