Commissioning Week 2021: Blue Angels Plus Road, Bridge Closings

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The U.S. Naval Academy’s 2021 Commissioning Week activities run May 23 to 28. Here's an early look at traffic hazards, plus road and bridge closings, as well as when to see the Blue Angels fly over Annapolis.

The commissioning ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 28 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Rowe Boulevard in Annapolis.

The U.S. Naval Academy announced Friday that select Commissioning Week events for the Class of 2021 will be held in person, culminating with an in-person graduation and commissioning ceremony at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on May 28.

Vice President Kamala Harris will give this year's commencement address. She is the first woman to give the address at the academy.

For a full list of events and activities, visit https://www.usna.edu/CommissioningWeek.

Before the graduation and commissioning ceremony, area residents and visitors should expect heavy traffic, temporary road and bridge closures, parking limitations, maritime traffic restrictions and increased security in addition to COVID-19 pandemic precautions and restrictions, the city of Annapolis said in a news release.

Access to the US Naval Academy during Commissioning Week, as well as the outdoor graduation ceremony, will be restricted to invited Naval Academy and Class of 2021 guests and authorized personnel only.

HEAVY TRAFFIC: Expect increased cars and pedestrian traffic that week. Allow extra time and be courteous to out-of-town drivers who are unfamiliar with city streets. Download the “Prepare Me Annapolis” mobile app to receive local traffic alerts.

On Friday, May 28, traffic around Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Rowe Blvd. will be heavy until about 3 p.m.

TEMPORARY ROAD AND BRIDGE CLOSURES FOR BLUE ANGELS: On Tuesday, May 25, the Route 450 (Naval Academy) bridge will be closed between 10:45 a.m. until about 3:45 p.m. for the Blue Angels rehearsal. The bridge will close again on Wednesday, May 26 at about 1:45 p.m. until roughly 4 p.m. for the Blue Angels flight demonstration.

PARKING LIMITATIONS: Expect parking to be limited throughout the week. Visit www.AnnapolisParking.com to reserve garage parking in advance. There will be enforcement of metered parking, two-hour limited spaces, residential permit zones and red zones. Visitors are encouraged to park at Knighton (corner of Colonial Avenue and West Street) and Park Place (just off West Street and Spa Road) Garages and take the free Circulator downtown.

On Friday, May 28, there will be no state employee parking at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Lot. The parking lot will be reserved for graduation attendees. City and state employees who normally park at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium should relocate to the Calvert Street Garage.

Watch for no-parking zones/modifications and street closures due to COVID-19. Observe and adhere to posted temporary parking and traffic restrictions.

MARITIME TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS: Boaters should pay close attention to markers that note exclusionary zones and a temporary channel. Do not anchor in the temporary channel, marked by red and green buoys. Look for public safety boats and follow instructions promptly. Follow all boating safety laws. Harbormaster operates on VHF 17. The area will be patrolled by the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Natural Resources Police, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and Annapolis Harbormaster, Annapolis Police and Annapolis Fire Rescue boats.

SEVERN RIVER MARINE RESTRICTIONS: On Tuesday, May 25 and Wednesday, May 26, there will be restrictions to boat traffic between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. No anchoring or boating in the following areas on the Severn River and its tributaries: North of the quick flashing light at the south end of the Naval Academy seawall to Greenbury Point and South for a line marked by the Rt 450 Severn River Bridge. All boats including those tied to private docks are prohibited from navigation in this exclusionary zone.

INCREASED SECURITY: All residents and visitors should remain aware of their surroundings. Please identify suspicious personnel, packages or behavior to local authorities. If you see something, say something. Dial 9-1-1 for emergency response. For non-emergency questions, contact the Annapolis Call Center at 410-260-2211.

COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS: The City of Annapolis remains under a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please adhere to all federal, state and local laws to maintain the public health. With expected crowds, visitors and residents should be prepared to wear masks in the event physical distance can not be maintained. The Anne Arundel County Department of Health advises residents and visitors get vaccinated.