SF business owners hope scaled down Fleet Week will still bring big crowds
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Sunday kicked off the first day of Fleet Week in San Francisco, but the government shutdown is pressing the pause button on all events and attractions involving the U.S. Military -- including the Blue Angels.
A smaller event is planned but business owners worry it may keep crowds away.
"What it does, is it brings people to the waterfront that haven't been here for years," said Sal Chiavino.
Red's Java House owner Sal Chiavino expected a much bigger lunch crowd Sunday. Fleet Week ship tours are usually ramping up at Pier 30 and 32, but due to the government shutdown, the only vessels on the Bay are sailboats and cruise ships.
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"So yes, it's a big deal. We hope the show goes on and that things get settled before then. We will make the best of it. Yes, it is disappointing," Chiavino said.
Organizers say SF Fleet Week will still go on, but with a smaller footprint. The shutdown will keep the Navy's Blue Angels grounded.
"We have our world-famous airshow by United, headlined by the Canadian Snowbirds, Patriots Jet Team, visiting ships from Colombia and Canada -- an amazing time," said San Francisco Fleet Week Spokesperson David Cruise.
Fleet Week is huge for the city. Organizers say it typically it brings up to 3,000 military visitors and 1.2 million regular visitors, generating about $10 million in tax revenue.
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"I worry, because last year, there a lot of people," said Miclobio Gomez.
Gomez works at the Socialite Kitchen and Brewery where tables are decorated with American flags for Fleet Week. Extra food and drink has been ordered but no one is sure if a scaled down airshow will bring the crowds.
"The event is every year. You know people are coming. Be sure to prepare for this event, but now I don't know," Gomez said.
The Fisherman's Wharf Community Benefit District said in a statement: "Last year's Fleet Week weekend brought hundreds of thousands of visitors daily to Fisherman's Wharf. Making it one of the most important revenue generating weekends for our merchants and small businesses...So, naturally, with a scaled-down event, there is angst amongst our business community."
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Fisherman's Wharf business leaders are planning to pivot, with four days of free concerts to entertain visitors.
The Crew of the SS Jeremiah O'Brien, docked at Pier 35, is stepping up to accommodate as many people as it can on board the historic Liberty Ship for a Bay cruise next weekend during the air show.
"We decided this is our biggest cruise of the entire year, and we can't afford not to go on the cruise," said Matt Hess from SS Jeremiah O'Brien.
Hess said tickets are still available.
