As I scurried about my busy day today, I did notice somewhere in the back of my mind that there seemed to be rather a large naval presence in the city, but never made the connection that it was the beginning of Fleet Week until I got home. For the uninitiated, Fleet Week is a naval tradition, upheld by the US Navy, US Coast Guard, US Marine Corps and oftentimes the Canadian Navy too, where ships dock at major cities for a week and waves of uniformed men fill the streets. The first Fleet Week in New York City started in 1982 and now occurs annually.
Now that I’m aware that Fleet Week has hit, I must keep my eye out for the fabulous brass bands that put on impromptu performances in Times Square and shall keep my camera to hand just in case. Still in a state of Fleet Week ignorance this evening, I heard a series of pops, bangs and fizzles that were the unmistakable sound of a fireworks display – it was to herald the start of Fleet Week in New York. I shot straight up to the nearest rooftop where hundreds of local New Yorkers had gathered to watch the night sky light up, welcoming the sailors.
New York Fleet Week has its own Facebook page, where you can watch a video of tonight’s fireworks display.
Hello sailors.
Where's my backpack? 
Great shots! What gear did you use?
Thanks Andreas, Panasonic with a 28mm wide angle lens.
The only reason I know about Fleet Week is that it was on an episode of “Sex in the City”! Love the fireworks pics.
Ha ha, yes, I remember that episode. Ladies, seamen, 12 o’clock! 🙂
Love fireworks, love sailors and love tall ships. Enjoying your pics
Thanks Pamela 🙂
How the heck did I miss the fireworks? Although I saw the parade of ships yesterday and took a whole bunch of photos of them. Now I just have to refrain from taking photos of all the attractive sailors…
I don’t see any need to refrain – snap away! 🙂
Oh and I nearly missed them too, I had no idea they were happening. Luckily I was within one flight of the rooftop when I heard them start And luckier still, I had my camera with me 🙂
Oh wow! Stunning work! What a lovely thing to have 🙂
Fireworks always bring out my inner child – I can’t help but ooh and aah and clap my hands in glee 🙂
Always remember the fireworks will close the year 😀
I am so excited for the July 4th fireworks! 🙂
Fab pics. Thanks for sharing. Fleet Week is such an NYC institution – but have always needed up missing it!
Thanks Gary, Fleet Week is an awful lot of fun 🙂
Fabulous shots! I need to learn how to take night shots like that.
Thanks, Madhu – a lot of them didn’t come out great, because I wasn’t expecting the display and just started shooting, changing settings as I went along and I also didn’t have a tripod, which makes night shots so much better. It was a wonderful fireworks display though. 🙂
Hey Ailsa! I am glad to have recently found your blog. I enjoy your photo challenges and I think your blog is great, that is why I am nominating you for the Sisterhood of the World Blogger Award.
Here is the link iof you care to participate; http://strawberryindigo.wordpress.com/2012/05/25/sisterhood-of-the-world-blogger-awards-the-strawberryindigo-edition/
Congrats! Strawberryindigo. 🙂
Thanks, Strawberryindigo 🙂
Gorgeous photos… 🙂
Thanks Elizabeth 🙂
Great photos! I’d love to be in NYC for Fleet Week.
It’s a ton of fun, hope you get to experience it for yourself soon. There are some brass bands performing in Times Square tomorrow that I’m hoping to catch – provided it doesn’t get rained out like today! xxx Ailsa
I know about Fleet Week from the Sex and the City show 😉
Just saw this comment now, CTB, nice one, oh yes, I remember it well, Samantha was having a field day!