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Esplanade between Buildings C and D
San Francisco’s exciting Fleet Week celebration has inspired Fort Mason Center (FMC) to throw a free street fair-type festival in the spacious area between Buildings C and D. The Fleet Week Festival at the Fort takes place from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, October 11 and 12, during the giant Fleet Week celebration along San Francisco’s northern waterfront.
 The FMC festival is the perfect addition to Fleet Week because it offers new attractions for Fleet Week visitors. The Fleet Week Festival at the Fort features hearty food and drink, great family fun, entertainment by FMC’s Blue Bear School of Music, and many places to sit, relax, and enjoy a wonderful day by San Francisco Bay.
Fort Mason Foundation’s Director of Development, Jim Armstrong, got the idea for a festival when he came down to FMC on July 4 and saw crowds gather around the historic piers and buildings to watch fireworks and celebrate Independence Day outdoors. He realized that many people planning to be in the area during Fleet Week might appreciate a beautiful, friendly place where they could bring family and friends to enjoy the air show and other attractions.
 “We hope people will stop by here before or after their Fleet Week activities and have a good time,” said Armstrong. “There’s so much to see and do at Fort Mason Center during Fleet Week – exhibits at the ArtSpan Open Studios, Museo ItaloAmericano, and the Long Now Foundation Museum and shows at Magic Theatre and BATS Improv.”
In addition to these ongoing programs, The W Foundation hosts a special “Navy in Space” exhibit in FMC’s Building D in honor of Fleet Week. Open until 6:00 p.m. on October 11 and 12, the exhibit focuses on US and Russian space programs, as well as the International Space Station, the Space Shuttle, and California’s role in space exploration.
Armstrong enlisted the aid of veteran event producer and promoter Steven Restivo Event Services LLC (SRES). SRES produces many popular street fairs and festivals, including the Union Street Eco-Urban Festival, the Fillmore Jazz Festival, and the Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival.
 Traditional and gourmet cuisine, microbrew beers, fine wines, and other delicacies await Fleet Week Festival at the Fort visitors. The festival also offers hands-on art activities, rides, and inflatable fun booths for children while adults can sit down and enjoy high-quality musical acts presented by FMC’s Blue Bear School of Music.
Fleet Week and Fort Mason Center offer many other attractions during the October 10-12 weekend, among them the annual Parade of Fleet Week Ships. For more information, see October 11 in the calendar and visit www.military.com/fleetweek, www.sresproductions.com, and www.thewfoundation.org. For details about joining the 1882 Fort Mason Society — Friends of the Fort and being part of the “Greatest Generation” celebration, refer to www.fortmason.org/membership.
— Claudia Willen
Images: Courtesy of Fleet Week (top)
Courtesy of Steven Restivo Event Services LLC (SRES) (second from top)
Concrete and Bedrock by Dale Laitinen, San Francisco Open Studios 2008 (second from bottom)
Courtesy of SRES (bottom)
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