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SITE REVIEW #1 FLEET WEEK AN AMERICAN TRADITION By BRIENNE HERBERT SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA white uniforms that walk the streets of mid-town once a week each year. However, my first experience with San Francisco's annual Fleet Week proved to be quite a different ballgame. Experiencing the military air show along the San Francisco Bay waterfront is a front row seat to one of themost exhilarating air shows in the world. FleetWeek is aUnited States Navy,Marine Corps and Coast F Guard tradition inwhich activemilitary ships dock in a variety of major cities for oneweek. It's an annual opportunity to thank the young women and men of the naval services for their selfless devotion in safeguarding our country. The mission of the 2011 San Francisco Fleet Week was to continue to focus on HumanitarianAssistance andDisaster Response. leetWeek has truly become one of the most antici- pated inAmerican traditions.Living inNewYork for many years, I've become very familiar with the crisp Since 1981, San Francisco FleetWeek has been held during Columbus DayWeekend where over a million fans gather along the Fan FranciscoBaywaterfront and try and catch the best possible view of the world famous air show. From its humble beginnings in 1911, the Navy's flight programhas become an internationally respected organization, and its annual Air Show has become a highly anticipated family event. Last year, San Francisco Fleet Week spectators were able to view per- formances of the Marines AV-8B Harrier, the Blue Angels and the Canadian Snowbirds. The weekend's special events began on Friday October 7th with the Urban Search & Rescue training program, Blue Angels Meet & Greet and an Interagency Softball Competition at Moscone Field. On Saturday October 8th the day began with the Parade of Ships, a Marine Band performance at the Cable Car Turn Around in Union Square, Fleet Week Air Show and the Marine Band concert at Huntington park to name a few. The weekend's festivities wrapped up on Sunday October 9th with highlights from the Fleet Week Air show, 143rd annual Italian Heritage Parade and ship tours. With all the negative influences these days in pop culture and the media, it's really inspiring to see such positive role models for little boys and girls to look up to. It's really a family affair and there's something for everyone. Only minutes from the San Francisco Bay water- front, the Hyatt Fisherman's Wharf www.fisherman- wharf.hyatt-.com is an ideal location to experience the very best of San Francisco during FleetWeek. Iwas for- tunate enough to experience one of the air shows from the Hyatt's rooftop and there really is no better seat in San Francisco. This Fisherman's Wharf hotel offers the very best in luxury suites, fine din- ning and guest services. Each of the 313 guest rooms feature wireless internet access, an iHome stereo with iPod dock- ing station and LCDTV screens.Guests have the option to request a Respire by Hyatt-Hypo-Allergenic Room,which is designed to provide the most comfort- able sleeping environment for all guests, especially allergy sufferers. Respire by Hyatt rooms undergo an additional six- step process to reduce airborne particles andminimize the potential of irritants. For dinning options, Knuckles at the Wharf is one of the most celebrated restaurants in San Francisco. This con- temporary American grill showcases house-smoked meats, barbeque and a Continued on page 23 20 Black Meetings & Tourism July/August 2012: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com