SF Happenings: Fleet Week, Alameda International Film Festival, and More
This week's SF Happenings post features Fleet Week and the Alameda International Film Festival, plus the San Francisco BBQ Festival.
Welcome to Reset San Francisco’s eighth edition of SF Happenings, a weekly series that highlights amazing things happening in San Francisco and throughout the Bay Area.
The articles cover everything from art exhibits and cultural events to outdoor activities and a seemingly never-ending array of new restaurants and other spots opening.
Each week, we publish a roundup of the coolest events and fun things to do so you can plan your weekend — and maybe even the next few weeks — with ease.
Happening This Weekend…
San Francisco Fleet Week
What:
As forecasted in last week’s SF Happenings post, Fleet Week is now upon us! ICYMI, here are the details once again…
Many San Franciscans are familiar with Fleet Week, but don’t know much about the history behind it.
As explained on the website:
“San Francisco Fleet Week (SFFW) began in 1981 when then Mayor Dianne Feinstein led the nation in celebrating America’s sea services.”
“Taking place every October on the Marina Green over Italian Heritage Weekend, SFFW’s air show, parade of ships and many community events have become a significant and integral part of the city’s local culture and economy.”
The week-long celebration includes a variety of events, but the most popular is almost certainly the Air Show:
“Taking place over three consecutive days in the skies above the City’s waterfront, this event attracts over a million people around the Bay. Featuring the United States Navy Blue Angels, the Air Force’s F-22 Raptor, the Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 and, from France, the Breitling Jet Team.”
When:
Monday, October 3, 2016 – Monday, October 10, 2016
(Expect to hear a lot of planes flying overhead on Thursday, October 6 through Sunday, October 9!)
Where:
Marina Green – Marina Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94123
Cost:
Many of the Fleet Week activities, including all ship tours, are free. You can purchase tickets to the Air Show here.
Alameda International Film Festival
What:
As explained on the festival website:
“The Alameda International Film Festival (AIFF) was launched in 2016 by the executive producers of The Long Day Short Film Festival, which began in Alameda in 2008 and ran for 7 years.
“The goal of AIFF is quite the same as its forebear: to bring new and innovative film to audiences in Alameda. However, AIFF can achieve much more than the previous festival ever could.
“Multiple categories, including long-form shorts and feature films, beget multiple programs at multiple venues on multiple days. The film scene in Alameda is growing and growing with the AIFF as the driver.”
When:
The festival kicks off on Friday, October 7, 2016 with the Opening Night Gala and Feature Film (Bear with Us) from 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
On Saturday, October 8, 2016, the first film begins at 11:30 AM, and screenings will continue throughout the day, concluding with Bump in the Night! Late Night Horror at 10:00 PM.
On Sunday, October 9, 2016, screenings begin again at 11:00 AM, and the festival concludes that evening with the Closing Night Celebration and Awards Ceremony.
Where:
The Crystal Room, Alameda Hotel – 1415 Broadway, Alameda, CA 94501
Pacific Pinball Museum – 1510 Webster Street, Alameda, CA 94501
Cost:
Tickets for individual films start at just $10. Shorts Day Passes, Festival Passes, and VIP Passes are also available, and prices range from $26 – $125.
Coming Up Soon…
San Francisco BBQ Festival
What:
The 2nd Annual San Francisco BBQ Festival will feature a “fully sanctioned Kansas City Barbecue Society competition with a $10,000 prize going to the best pitmasters of the festival.”
“Over 40 competition BBQ teams will grill and sauce their meat onsite while attendees get a chance to taste this competition barbecue like they’ve never done before.”
In addition, “15 SF Bay Area local craft breweries will be pouring their best craft beers. Come taste hand crafted SF brews while speaking to the brewmasters themselves.”
Alongside the tasty food and drinks, the festival will serve up some fun entertainment:
- “This year two local rock bands will be riffing away and showing off their chops as festival rock stars.”
- “This year’s festival will have a cornhole tournament open to everyone who thinks they have what it takes. Get a team together and try to beat some of the best cornhole tossers in the city.”
When:
Saurday, October 22, 2016 at 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Where:
The Yard at Mission Rock – 3rd St and Terry A Francois Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94158
Cost:
General Admission tickets range in price from $25-35, while a VIP ticket will set you back $75. Tickets can be purchased on the festival website.
P.S. According to Eventbrite, “The Festival is family and dog friendly, and kids under 12 get in free.”
