Pensacola Navy Days is three-day city-wide salute to Navy's history and role in Pensacola
Every day is a Navy Day in Pensacola, long the Cradle of Naval Aviation where generations of pilots have earned their wings since the early days of flight.
Now, Pensacola has made "Navy Days" officials.
The inaugural Pensacola Navy Days celebration takes place May 17-19 and features a host of events, including a Navy Days Parade, a family-oriented "Fun Fest," a "Blues on the Bay Concert," a black-tie gala at the National Naval Aviation Museum, visits on Coast Guard Cutters and more.
State Sen. Doug Broxson introduced the idea of a community Navy Days celebration to community leaders in July 2023 to honor Pensacola's long relationship with, and appreciation of, the U.S. Navy. He said Pensacola residents might feel a bit removed from the Navy culture in recent years with the closing of the Naval Air Station Pensacola main gate and increased security instructions.
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"We just want to remind the Navy how important they are to us,'' Broxson said. "It's our biggest industry. I think old-timers who were used to having almost total access to the base have felt that culture change and this is an opportunity to renew our commitment to the Navy and the military."
He noted that many areas without as large of a Navy presence have a "Fleet Week" or "Navy Days" celebration, so certainly Pensacola should celebrate the Navy as well.
"We think this can grow into something enormous in Pensacola,'' Broxson said. "We hope that in the future it will be something that people look forward to each year."
Retired Navy Capt. Tim Kinsella, former commanding officer at Naval Air Station Pensacola, is chairman of the Pensacola Navy Days board of directors and retains close ties to the base in Warrington. He said Pensacola Navy Days leaders and staff have been working with area Navy commands to ensure the participation of sailors and officers in the area. May is National Military Appreciation Month.
"This is for them,'' Kinsella said. "Pensacola is one of the oldest military communities in the country, but we don't have a history of celebrating our military heritage. This formalizes and showcases the appreciation Pensacola has for them and what they do."
Pensacola Navy Days schedule of events
Friday, May 17
Night at the Museum Gala, 6:30 p.m. at the National Naval Aviation Museum aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola. Cocktails at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7:30 p.m. followed by music and dancing. Guest speaker is retired Adm. Harry Harris. Tickets are $150.
Navy Days themed Gallery Night, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on South Palafox Street. Gallery Night attendees are asked to wear red, white and blue to show their appreciation for the U.S. Navy and the Armed Forces.
Saturday, May 18
Navy Days 4K Run/Walk. Race begins at 8 a.m. Community Maritime Park and loops through downtown to Veterans Memorial Park, then back to the starting point. Run/Walk admission is $25 through Friday, then the fee will increase to $30.
Navy Days Parade. Parade starts at 9:30 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park and ends at Community Maritime Park. It will feature area bands, Mardi Gras Krewes, military vehicles and squadrons, Sailors of the Year and more.
Fun Fest. Noon to 3 p.m. at Community Maritime Park. event will feature a Kids Fun Zone, ROTC demonstrations, military vehicles and vessels on display and a military/veterans fair.
Sunday, May 19
Blues on the Bay. The popular Pensacola band the Modern Eldorados will perform from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Community Maritime Park Amphitheater. The performance is part of the Blues on the Bay Concert Series presented by Blues Angel Music.
Friday through Sunday:
The United States Coast Guard Cutters Jacob Poroo and Stingray will dock at Plaza de Luna during Pensacola Navy Days and will be available for public tours each of the three days. Tour times have not yet been confirmed. Organizers expect the ships to host about 5,000 visitors over the weekend.
Pensacola Navy Days is funded largely by corporate sponsors, including Kia Autosport, PenAir Credit Union, Navy Federal Credit Union, Pensacola Coca-Cola Bottling Country and more.
"The response from the community has been amazing,'' Kinsella said. "People were saying, 'Please, let me be involved. It's very much community driven."
Besides Broxson, other local elected officials have helped organize and plan celebration events, including State Rep. Michelle Salzman and Escambia County District 2 Commissioner Mike Kohler.
"A lot of cities have Navy Days or something similar,'' Kohler said. "Being that Pensacola is the Cradle of Naval Aviation, we're long overdue.
For more information, including details on Night at the Museum Gala tickets, go to www.pensacolanavydays.com.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola Navy Days May 17-19 2024 includes parade, festival, gala
