The U.S. Navy will descend on the Champlain Valley later this month for Vermont’s first-ever Navy Week, bringing sailors, military musicians, historic displays, patrol boats and other demonstrations to Burlington and surrounding communities.

Burlington Navy Week will run Aug. 24-30, with events at the Burlington waterfront, Church Street Marketplace, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum in Vergennes and the opening weekend of the Champlain Valley Fair in Essex Junction. A special Military Appreciation Day concert is also scheduled for Aug. 31.

The Navy says the week is designed to give Vermonters an opportunity to meet active-duty sailors and learn about Navy operations, history and careers.

Among those participating will be sailors and civilian mariners from two vessels with Vermont connections: the USS Montpelier, a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, and the USNS Burlington, a high-speed expeditionary transport ship.

Rear Adm. Brett W. Mietus, commander of Joint Region Marianas, and Essex Junction native Chief Warrant Officer Jason T. Senecal are scheduled to take part in community outreach events.

The Navy Ceremonial Guard Drill Team will perform, while Navy Band Northeast’s Jack Tar Brass ensemble will give free public concerts. The Navy’s Rhode Island Sound rock band is scheduled to perform at the Champlain Valley Fair on Aug. 31.

The Burlington waterfront will become one of the main centers of activity. Maritime Security Squadron 8 will bring a 34-foot Sea Ark harbor patrol boat for static displays, tours and tactical demonstrations on Lake Champlain.

Navy meteorologists will provide weather demonstrations and forecasts, while representatives of the U.S. Naval Academy, Navy medicine and Navy recruiting will conduct educational and youth outreach.

Naval history will also receive considerable attention. Naval History and Heritage Command archaeologists will hold displays and presentations, including programs connected to the USS Constitution, the Navy’s oldest commissioned warship. The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum will host naval history displays Aug. 24 and Aug. 26, including an Aug. 26 “Deep Dives” presentation on the Howell torpedo.

Events begin Monday, Aug. 24, with naval history displays in Vergennes, a harbor patrol boat demonstration on Lake Champlain and a Navy waterfront exhibition in Burlington.

On Tuesday, Aug. 25, the waterfront exhibition continues from noon to 5:30 PM, followed by a Navy Ceremonial Guard drill performance and a free Jack Tar Brass concert.

The Navy returns to the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum and Burlington waterfront Wednesday, Aug. 26, with another free Jack Tar Brass concert scheduled for 6 PM.

Activities shift partly to the Champlain Valley Fair beginning Friday, Aug. 28. Navy displays will be open at the fair from noon to 9 PM Friday and from 10 AM to 9 PM Saturday and Sunday. A kickoff concert is scheduled for noon Friday.

Other Friday activities include a Navy history-themed storytime, another harbor patrol boat demonstration on Lake Champlain and a patrol boat display at the Burlington waterfront.

The week will also include a “Doing Business with the Navy” seminar for businesses interested in Navy contracting opportunities, including work associated with the submarine industrial base.

Navy Week programs are held around the country to bring sailors and Navy programs to communities that do not normally have a major Navy presence. The Burlington event marks the first time the program has been held in Vermont.