The weather can be brutally hot, or it can be cold and rainy. Umbrellas are NOT allowed in the stadium, seat cushions delay your entry into the stadium. Keep in mind that the venue will be changed to Alumni Hall only if there is severe weather, such as lightning. For reference, this has not happened since They absolutely want to keep things at the Stadium to accommodate as many guests as possible.
Midshipmen in the top of their class will receive two tickets for seating on the floor of the stadium. While this sounds like it is a wonderful opportunity, keep in mind that some of the parents that took advantage of this seating said they would not do it again. The field can be even hotter than the stands, and there is no shade or opportunity to get out of the sun.
Ditto the rain; there is minimal shelter on the field. From personal experience, it was harder to see from the floor, although your opportunity to take photos can be better.
Many Midshipmen wear Under Amour gear under their uniforms to absorb sweat or to keep them warmer. Before and during the Graduation, only photographers with credentials will be allowed on the field to take pictures. After the ceremony, anyone may get on the field for pictures. See more details on photography on page Select a specific place in the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium to meet your Midshipman, family, and friends after the ceremony for the traditional pinning on of the Boards and Bars as well as the exchange of covers.
Believe us when we tell you that they all look alike, and those smiles will blind you. It will be hard to find your Waldo in the happy chaos. Be sure that they hold tightly to the cover at the end of the ceremony when the children rush the field to collect the thrown covers.
The children do not know the difference between the two covers, and more than one has been lost in the melee on the field. If you bring it in the box that it came in, be SURE to tape the seams and bottom flaps of the box to ensure the cover does not drop out of the bottom of the box unnoticed. Yes, this has happened. Plan to tailgate before and after. It makes getting to the stadium early a more pleasurable task. Cold drinks, especially water, are a must afterwards.
The Gold Side is the side closest to Rowe Blvd; the Blue side is the side with the Blue Angels plane where the Mids normally sit during a football game. Odd companies are usually on the Blue side, even companies on the Gold side. Wheelchair accessible seating can be accessed by utilizing the ramps located adjacent to Sections 8 and Individuals shall be allowed entrance only after disposing or securing prohibited items. Screeners will NOT hold items; the owner must dispose of them or secure them in their vehicle.
Remember, with the President as our anticipated speaker for , security could be even tighter than usual. Arrive early, avoid disappointment! Umbrella strollers and wheelchairs are allowed into the stadium after they have been visually swept.
Cameras and cell phones are acceptable. There are stadium terrace level suites available overlooking the field with a capacity of people. You can put your name on a list, and you will be called if any become available. Call the stadium at to inquire about the cost. A new turnstile has been installed at Gate 3, next to the Main Chapel, that allows one to depart the Yard there at any time.
It does not allow re-entrance, but is a convenient way to depart. The Cemetery and Columbarium located on Hospital Point should not be used as a transit or viewing area for Commissioning Week events. Possession and consumption of alcohol on Academy grounds is prohibited, except at USNA-sponsored events.
Animals may not be brought on Academy grounds during Commissioning Week. They are best left where you are staying while you attend events. There are options in and near Annapolis for pet-sitting and pet daycare. Please believe that even the most well-behaved pet will not enjoy the cannons at various outside events.
All vehicles and persons are subject to search. Note that a valid U. Passport will gain admittance to anyone regardless of the state they are from.
If you do not have a parent or sponsor card in addition to your ID, you may not be permitted access to the Yard after sunset. For those traveling from outside the country, passports will be required.
You may want to consistently access the Yard through Gate 1 with foreign visitors to avoid any delays in getting to events as well as planning for extra time. No parking is allowed in red curb zones. Only official vehicles may park in white curb zones. A word to the wise, be sure that you come to full and complete stop at all stop signs. You will be ticketed for a rolling stop and that can be an expensive ticket.
Drivers may not use a cell phone unless the vehicle is safely parked or the driver is using a hands-free device. Earphones may not be worn on the Academy while bicycling or driving a vehicle. The Midshipman Store will be open with special hours for Commissioning Week. Check the official Schedule of Events for actual hours. Parents, guardians, and Midshipmen families are authorized but must present shopping cards or special Commissioning Week nametags.
These passes should be included in the official Naval Academy package you receive in April. Go early as this will be the last time you will be able to purchase items with the class year on them.
Ladies, clean out your purse. One mom recommends getting a lanyard for your ID even if you just leave it in your purse. No one can get on board the Yard without ID, and making this critical piece easy to find can save countless tears. Additionally, since you will be walking and standing A LOT, the less weight on your shoulders and back, the better. Tell them if they are depending on you for transportation that you will be leaving at the stated departure time.
You can tell them that everyone is on military time now, as in if you are five minutes early, you are late. Give them the phone number of a cab service so if they are not ready, they are covered. Having a local contact can be a life-saver. Airport pickups can be a real problem — flights get delayed, people miss connections, etc.
Have your later arrivals stay at a hotel with airport shuttle service near BWI. Once they have arrived at the hotel, make one trip to the hotel to pick up the entire group. This reduces the stress on everyone. For those arriving on Thursday, or taking a red eye, make arrangements for a cab or for Super Shuttle.
Again, a huge stress reduction for everyone not having to worry about airport pickup. The Navy sometimes brings a ship or submarine from the Fleet to anchor off of the Academy to be available for those interested. Wear shorts or pants and flat, closed toe shoes. The ladders staircases on ships are open, and ladies in skirts quickly wish they had worn shorts.
This is even more crucial for submarines as the quarters aboard are even closer. Access to a submarine will be particularly difficult for older or very overweight persons.
Weather can come up quickly, and become rough. If you are susceptible to seasickness, admiring the vessel from the shore may be preferable for you. For their final assignment of the year, plebes scale the foot obelisk covered with more than pounds of lard.
According to Naval Academy lore, the first plebe to scale the monument and switch the covers will be the first member of the class to become an Admiral. The Herndon monument is located across the street from the Naval Academy Chapel steps.
Ring Dance and Fireworks Each Naval Academy class designs its own ring with a crest unique to that class. This ritual takes place at the Ring Dance, a ball traditionally held on the Saturday before Commissioning in Dahlgren Hall. It is not open to the public, but the fireworks display that is held on Farragut Field as part of the ball can be viewed from the neighborhoods surrounding the Yard and from downtown Annapolis.
The concert tickets go on sale in April and you can order them online. Seating is somewhat reserved in areas, but you may still be able to get tickets at the door. From downtown Annapolis to all of Anne Arundel County, there is much to explore while visiting for Commissioning Week. We invite you to an authentic Chesapeake Bay experience. Filled with seafood , sailing on the bay, history tours and boutique shopping - all within walking distance of the U.
Plus, outlet shopping at Maryland's top attraction, Arundel Mills Mall. From where to go and what to do, to the best spots for a view of the Blue Angels at AnnapolisDiscovered. The Blue Angels arrive in Annapolis with a roar on May 21 and 22 this month.
Seems like yesterday that family members flew in from San Francisco and This handy resource includes a complete listing of accommodations, restaurants, shopping destinations and more. Sign up today and we'll keep you in the loop on upcoming deals, specials, and happenings in and around Annapolis.
Due to our inability to know immunization status, social distancing will still be practiced in stadium seating. This modification does not correlate to increased access to the yard during Commissioning Week. This is an official U. This week includes a line-up of activities that all lead up to the morning of May 25; the commencement ceremony at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
However, there are events that the public can take part in.
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