Something’s going to be missing from New York City this spring: sailors.
Because of federal budget cuts, the Navy’s annual Fleet Week soiree in the city has been canned for this year, officials said Wednesday.
The weeklong revelry costs the Navy between $7 million and $10 million, as ships dock all over the city, men and women in dress white uniforms flood the streets and civilians can get an up-close view of Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard equipment.
“Unfortunately, there will be no Navy ships in New York this year for Fleet Week and no additional sailors or marines,” the Navy said in a statement, adding that it hopes to have future Fleet Weeks.
This year’s event was set for May 23-30. Fleet Week has been held in New York since 1984.
The city is expected to miss out on some $20 million that Fleet Week brings in every year, officials said, and New Yorkers are sad to miss one of the signature events that ushers in summer in the city.