Here’s how Fleet Week is shaping up with the government shutdown

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — San Francisco Fleet Week is now officially underway. However, with a government shutdown now well into its second week, the annual military celebration is set to look a little different this year.

A Fleet Week spokesperson told KRON4 that with the shutdown ongoing, “U.S. Navy ships, Sailors, and Marines will not be able to participate in this year’s San Francisco Fleet Week.” That means no Blue Angels in the Air Show and no U.S. Navy vessels in the Parade of Ships.

However, both of Fleet Week’s signature events are due to steam ahead.

Fleet Week Air Show to feature Canadian Snowbirds

With the Blue Angels effectively grounded, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds are set to headline the Fleet Week Air Show. An elite air demonstration squadron based in Saskatchewan in central Canada, the Snowbirds fly precision seven- and nine-plane formations, similar in style to the Blue Angels, in modified CT-114 Tutor jet trainers.

The Snowbirds will be among several participants in the Fleet Week Air show which will also feature the Patriots Jet Team.

The Air Show will go ahead on:

• Friday, Oct. 10 from 11:15 to 4 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Colombian Navy flagship ARC Gloria sails into Bay

While this year’s Fleet Week may not feature U.S. Navy vessels, the ARC Gloria, the majestic flagship of the Colombian Navy, steamed into the San Francisco Bay Wednesday. The three-masted tall ship that was built in 1968 will likely be among the standouts in Friday’s Parade of Ships and will be open for tours for the remainder of Fleet Week.

SF Italian Heritage Festival & Parade

In addition to Fleet Week, SF’s North Beach neighborhood will play host to the San Francisco Italian Heritage Festival & Parade this weekend. The parade will get underway at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday at the foot of Jefferson and Powell streets in Fisherman’s Wharf and proceed up Columbus Avenue through North Beach, winding up at Washington Square.

Could the Blue Angels still fly?

In a word, no.

According to a Fleet Week spokesperson, the U.S. Navy Region Southwest confirmed that “due to the continuing lapse in federal appropriations, U.S. Navy ships, Sailors, and Marines will not be able to participate in this year’s San Francisco Fleet Week.”