Crowds of people walk around and look at different booths set up at Fleet Fest at Naval Station Norfolk, Norfolk, Va., on Oct. 19, 2024. (Kaylyn Barnhart/Stars and Stripes)
NORFOLK, Va. — Naval Station Norfolk opened its gates to the public for the base’s annual Fleet Fest on Saturday.
A crowd of thousands had an opportunity to experience the world’s largest Navy base for free with ship tours, military demonstrations along with aircraft displays, a car show, food vendors, a chili cook-off, live entertainment and, for the first time, a carnival.
AWS2 Williams Davaris (left) and AWS3 Mark Laird, both stationed with the HM-15 unit at Naval Station Norfolk, pose in front of a MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter during Fleet Fest in Norfolk, Va., on Oct. 19, 2024. (Kaylyn Barnhart/Stars and Stripes)
A group photo of competitors participating in the chili cook-off challenge during Fleet Fest at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va., on Oct. 19, 2024. (Kaylyn Barnhart/Stars and Stripes)
A ferris wheel at the carnival during Fleet Fest at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va., on Oct. 19, 2024. This year is the first time Fleet Fest has ever hosted a carnival. The carnival was free and open to the public. (Kaylyn Barnhart/Stars and Stripes)
A performer in a festive American costume during Fleet Fest at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va., on Oct. 19, 2024. (Kaylyn Barnhart/Stars and Stripes)
To kick off the event, The United States Fleet Forces Rock Band welcomed crowds of people as they walked onto Pier 14 with their high-energy music ensemble playing modern hits. The Deloreans, an ‘80s tribute band, kept the crowd motivated and having fun with their colorful costumes and classic dance music.
With the fun activities and entertainment, Fleet Fest notably gave service members and DoD civilians a chance to show the public what they do everyday working aboard Norfolk.
“Sailors and civilians are very proud of what they do,” said Capt. Matt Schlarmann, commander of Naval Station Norfolk.
Attendees were able to participate in guided tours on four ships and see firsthand what life at sea for service members is like. The ships open for boarding during the festival were the USS Iwo Jima, USS Gonzalez and two Coast Guard cutters; USCGC Nathan Bruckenthal and the USCGC Vigorous.
Live military demonstrations by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue teams took place on the pier and showed spectators how they conduct search and rescue operations at sea.
The guided-missile destroyer, USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) in port for Fleet Fest at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va., on Oct. 19, 2024. The USS Gonzalez was one of the Navy ships open to the public to board and tour during the festival. (Kaylyn Barnhart/Stars and Stripes)
The U.S. Navy Helicopter Sea Combat squadron does a search and rescue demonstration in the water on Pier 14 during Fleet Fest at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va., on Oct. 19, 2024. (Kaylyn Barnhart/Stars and Stripes)
Military working dogs and their handlers also demonstrated different everyday training exercises while explaining the vital role these dogs play in the nation’s safety and security.
This year’s main sponsor for Fleet Fest was the Navy Exchange, along with Navy Federal Credit Union, USAA, Busch Gardens Water Country USA, 5 Star Nutrition, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Hampton Roads Honda, Bayside Harley-Davidson and Defenders of Resilience.
“Team Naval Station Norfolk really came together to make this happen along with the partnership with our sponsors,” said Schlarmann.
Military affiliated sponsors and non-sponsors participated in Fleet Fest to promote the services they have to offer to service members and their families as well as gain recognition and public support.
“It’s so important for us to be a part of Fleet Fest because it gives us an opportunity to be in the hub ... we have a heart to serve the military ... ,” said Annemarie Ward, a family life specialist representing the Fleet and Family Support Center Norfolk during the festival.
Schlarmann believes that Fleet Fest is a great opportunity to inspire the recruitment of future sailors with the unique experiences and opportunities the festival has to offer.
“You’re able to go on board the ships, you’re able to go near the aircraft ... and you get to talk to the actual people working on these, and that should motivate some folks ... it’ll help the Navy in the long run,” he said.
