FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Lea Sinclair, 504-491-5330, lea@notmc.com
Andrew Thomas, 504-628-4997, andrew.thomas2@navy.mil
Stephen Strickland, 904-803-9163, stephen.strickland@navy.mil
Michael Hatfield, 757-903-1972, michael.hatfield1@navy.mil
New Orleans, LA - April 10, 2015 - Between April 23 and 29, visitors and locals will head for the French Quarter and the shores of the Mississippi River to visit six glorious military ships. The city welcomes NOLA Navy Week, a fun-filled week of activities for the family.
"This year we will welcome ships from not only the United States Navy and Coast Guard, but also naval vessels from England and Canada," said Mark Romig, President and CEO of New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, the city agency sponsoring the program. "We are pleased to welcome the officers and crew members for what will be a memorable visit to one of the most exciting port cities in the world."
In addition to activities for visitors and locals, approximately 1100 sailors will descend upon the city, participating in three days of community service projects including building homes, beautifying parks, and planting trees. A seafood cook-off will once again be held between the ships' various culinary specialists and Louisiana chefs. Navy concerts will fill the air throughout the week, as will fireworks at dusk on Monday, April 27.
"We're excited to bring the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard to New Orleans next month, and I'm very happy our allies from the United Kingdom and Canada are able to join us as well," said Rear Adm. Cindy Thebaud, the commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 2 based in Norfolk, Virginia. "The public will get a chance to see some of the world's most advanced warships, gear and equipment, while our Sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and allied sailors will have an opportunity to enjoy the great city of New Orleans."
Tours of ships will be offered to groups on the mornings of April 24 and 27, and the ships will be open for the general public daily in the afternoons. Visitors including school groups, maritime and history buffs will see six ships this year including the USS Wasp, USS James E. Williams, USS Cole, HMCS Athabaskan, HMS Lancaster, and USCGC Dauntless.
SCHEDULE:
Thursday, April 23
Ships arrive (no tours until 24th)
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Navy Concert Band Performance at Trinity Episcopal Church
Friday, April 24
Time to be Announced
Sailors participate in community project
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Mayoral Welcome at Gallier Hall
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Group Tours - register online at NOLANavyWeek.com/private-tour-signup/
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Ships open for public tours (open to all)
Note: USS Wasp opens at 2:00 PM
7:00 PM - 1:00 AM
NOLA Navy Week Gala at the National World War II Museum: Freedom Pavillion
Tickets Available at NOLANavyWeek.com/event/nola-navy-week-gala
Saturday, April 25
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
HMCS Athabaskan and HMS Lancaster open for public tours (open to all)
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
USCGC Dauntless open for public tours (open to all)
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
USS Wasp, USS Cole and USS James E. Williams open for public tours (open to all)
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Navy Brass Band Performance at National World War II Museum
Sunday, April 26
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
HNCS Athabaskan and HMS Lancaster open for public tours (open to all)
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Navy and Coast Guard ships open for public tours (open to all)
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Navy Brass Band Performance at Spanish Plaza
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Seafood Cook Off at Spanish Plaza
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Navy Concert Band Performance at St. Louis Cathedral
Monday, April 27
Morning
USCGC Dauntless Departs
Time to be Announced
Sailors participate in community project
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Group Tours - register online at NOLANavyWeek.com/private-tour-signup/
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Ships open for public tours (open to all)
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Navy Band Performance at the Sunset Parade
8:00 PM
Fireworks in the French Quarter over the Mississippi River
Tuesday, April 28
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Ships open for public tours (open to all)
Time to be Announced
Sailors participate in community project
Wednesday, April 29
8:00 AM
Blessing of the Fleet
9:00 AM
Ringing of the Bells
All remaining ships depart
About New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC)
NOTMC promotes the city as a leisure tourism destination throughout the year. Annually, NOTMC's marketing campaigns include strategic digital and broadcast TV advertising, social media and public relations. Websites: neworleansonline.com; followyourNOLA.com; GoNOLA.com. Social media: Facebook.com/NewOrleans; Twitter.com/visitneworleans; Instagram.com/VisitNewOrleans; Pinterest.com/VisitNewOrleans; YouTube.com/gonolatv.
About the United States Navy
"America's sea services, the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard uniquely provide presence around the globe during peacetime and in times of conflict. From supporting those in need with humanitarian assistance or disaster relief to deterring or defeating an adversary, Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen are deployed and ready wherever they are needed, when they are needed. The United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard are our nation's first line of defense, providing presence around the world to ensure stability, build on our relationships with allies and partners, prevent wars, and provide our nation's leaders with options in times of crisis. The sea services continue their commitment to maintain the combat power necessary to deter potential adversaries, and to fight and win when required. Forward, engaged, ready. For more information, see http://www.navy.mil.
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