Budget Cuts Force Naval Station Everett to Cancel 4th of July Ship Tours

Received word today that Naval Station Everett has cancelled its 4th of July ship tours Here’s the word from Kristin Ching at Naval Station Everett…

Naval Station Everett Festival Canceled This Year

Naval Station Everett has traditionally offered the public a chance to visit the base and see a ship tour as a part of the local community’s annual summer Independence Day celebration. After careful consideration, the decision has been made to cancel the event this year in order to meet budget constraints.

This decision is separate from the Navy’s recent announcement that it will cancel ship visits to Northwest Fleet Weeks. Budget shortfalls due to sequestration are forcing the Navy and other military services to cut back on formal community outreach programs in 2013.

Naval Station Everett will continue to make supporting Fleet forces and Sailor readiness a priority, along with providing quality of life services to military families as best possible.

The opportunity for the base to host the festival each year depends on multiple factors such as ship availability, operational schedules, and security requirements.

Last year, approximately 5,000 people attended the event. The base had also cancelled its festival in 2011, due to heightened security posture required of all Navy installations and units.

Naval Station Everett participated in its first ever Fourth of July Celebration with the Everett community July 4, 1999, with public ship tours, concert, and fireworks display.

Editor’s note: The City of Everett has stated that the city’s annual 4th of July Celebration will go on with the annual parade thru downtown Everett, the Freedom Festival at Legion Park and Fireworks over Port Gardner Bay.