“Bringing America’s Navy Home”
with Fargo Navy Week, Fargo AirSho

America’s Navy is “coming home” to Fargo in conjunction with the Fargo AirSho.

The U.S. Navy selected Fargo as one of only 21 metropolitan areas around the country to host a Navy Week during 2011. Fargo Navy Week is scheduled for Aug. 8-14, 2011.

Throughout Fargo Navy Week, Naval officers and sailors will meet with business, civic, education and government leaders, participate in community events, engage local veterans and complete public service projects. In addition, Horizon, a seven-piece contemporary music ensemble of Navy Band Great Lakes, will provide free performances of current Top 40, classic rock hits, Motown, country, funk and jazz around the community.

“The Fargo Navy Week celebration 2011 gives area residents many opportunities to meet some of the Navy’s sailors and learn about the Navy’s critical mission and its broad-ranging capabilities,” said Lt. Lynn Valverde, public affairs officer with the Navy Office of Community Outreach and officer in charge of Fargo Navy Week. “With water covering 70 percent of the Earth’s surface, about 80 percent of the planet’s population living near an ocean and 90 percent of all international trade traveling by sea, the U.S. Navy is truly a global force for good.”

The theme for 2011 Navy Weeks is “Bringing America’s Navy Home,” and the celebrations are being held in conjunction with a year-long commemoration of the Centennial of Naval Aviation.

Confirmed and potential elements the Navy is planning to include in Fargo Navy Week:

• The Navy Flight Demonstration Team, “Blue Angels”
• Performances by Horizon, a seven-piece ensemble of Navy Band Great Lakes
• Admirals and other senior Navy leaders meeting with corporate, civic, education and government leaders
• Navy simulators and other interactive displays
• Visits with area youth
• Events with local sports franchises
• Community service projects

As a 2011 Navy Week host city, Fargo is in the company of Tampa, Fla.; Austin, Texas; Mississippi; Dallas-Fort Worth; Denver; New Orleans; Philadelphia; Chattanooga, Tenn.; the Quad Cities; Chicago; Rochester, N.Y.; Detroit; Los Angeles; Indianapolis; Cincinnati; Omaha, Neb.; New England; Albuquerque, N.M.; El Paso, Texas; and San Antonio.

For regularly updated information and schedule of events, go to the Fargo Navy Week website. You can also view high-resolution photos from past Navy Week celebrations and learn more about the Centennial of Naval Aviation.

For more information, contact Lt. Chika Onyekanne, Navy Office of Community Outreach, at 901-874-5882 or chika.onyekanne@navy.mil.