Livestream Of President Trump At Naval Academy Graduation

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Rolling road closures and traffic delays will tie up parts of Annapolis for events part of graduation at the U.S. Naval Academy, including a fly-over by the Blue Angels and the commencement address by President Donald Trump on Friday, May 25. (Watch via the livestream below.)

The graduation ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10 am. at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The roads around the stadium are expected to be congested because of the large number of people attending the ceremony, Annapolis Police say. Roads affected may include Route 50, Rowe Boulevard, Farragut Road, Taylor Avenue, Cedar Park Road, Annapolis Street, and Route 450.

Road congestion is expected to start at 6 a.m. and peak between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. There will also be congestion after 1 p.m., when the ceremony is expected to end. While no roads will be shut down for the duration of the graduation, some roads will be closed on a rolling basis as escorts move to the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and when the Brigade of Midshipmen march from the U.S. Naval Academy to the stadium.

The City of Annapolis Call Center will be activated to receive non-emergency phone calls from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. The Call Center can answer questions related to the traffic, road closures, and other changes to normal city activities. The phone number for the Annapolis Call Center is (410) 260-2211. To report a problem to the police department call 410-268-4141 or 9-1-1 in an emergency.

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The Navy's elite flight demonstration squadron will fly over Navy-Marine Corps Stadium as part of the graduation ceremony. When the Blue Angels are flying, the Route 450/Naval Academy Bridge over the Severn River will be closed to all traffic, vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian. For information about the closures and delays expected during Navy Commissioning week visit https://bit.ly/2kcFeOb.

Presidential Security Measures

Increased security will be on hand for Friday's commencement ceremony at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium with President Trump on hand. Residents who see anything suspicious are asked to call 911.

Parking at Navy Stadium begins at 6:30 a.m. on Friday, May 25. Entry for ticketed guests to the event begins at 7 a.m.

The brigade of midshipmen will leave the yard at 6:45 a.m. and march through town via Gate 8, MD 450, Taylor Avenue, and ar expected to cross over Rowe Boulevard at about 7:25 a.m. There will be road closures along this route as the brigade makes its way to the stadium.

Drone Restrictions

Do not fly a drone anywhere near downtown Annapolis or commencement event on Friday, May 25. The Federal Aviation Administration will have air restrictions in place.
For more information about drone usage, call 1-800-WX-BRIEF for additional information about flights and drone usage during restrictions.

Friday traffic will be heavy with the Naval Academy graduation ceremony drawing thousands of visitors throughout the day. In additionally, MDOT SHA expects increased holiday/eastbound traffic beginning Thursday and throughout the day Friday. Highway officials anticipate traffic delays late Sunday and Monday at the end of the long Memorial Day holiday weekend. Crews will patrol US 50 and other SHA-maintained roads to assist with disabled vehicles, highway debris removal, and crashes.

Drivers are urged to use www.md511.org and plan extra commuting time and consider alternate routes such as MD 2 (Governor Ritchie Highway) to US 50 if traveling toward the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

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Where To Park

Visit www.annapolisparking.com to locate the city's public parking garages. You can even make an online reservation in advance. Garages are located on West Street and at Park Place, as well as the popular Hillman garage off Main Street. There are shuttles that help transport people from garages.

On Friday, May 25, beginning at 6:30 a.m., the public also can park for free at the Calvert Street garage (at the corner of Bladen and Calvert Streets). This garage is typically restricted during weekday business hours to those with parking pass access only. The gates will be up all day.

Boating Precautions

On Friday, May 25, there will be possible closures to boating traffic on the Severn River and College Creek from arrival through departure of President Trump in Annapolis.

Always follow all maritime laws, especially that law that requires a personal floatation device for each person on board and all children on aboard under the age of 13 must wear their properly fitting PFD at all times. All persons aboard boats are strongly encouraged to wear a PFD at all times. Also, bow riding is illegal in Maryland.

Here's the remaining schedule for Commissioning Week:

Thursday, May 24 - Color Parade USNA on Worden Field

• The highlight of the Color Parade is the formal presentation of the color company pennant by the superintendent, the company commander and the "color honoree," to the newly designated spring color company. Each semester, the color company is designated by virtue of its excellence in academics, athletics and professional accomplishments throughout the semester. The color company competition began in 1867.

Friday, May 25 – Graduation and Commissioning Ceremony at Navy/Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
NOT OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC (By invitation only) Speaker: President Donald Trump

• The commissioning and graduation ceremony is the culmination of the four-year education and training of the men and women of the Class of 2018. Each graduate receives a Bachelor of Science degree and takes the oath of office as they are each commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy or as a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps.

For more information about the Naval Academy, visit www.usna.edu.

For more information about the Blue Angels, visit www.blueangels.navy.mil.

Photo: U.S. Naval Academy graduates toss their hats in the air following graduation ceremonies at the U.S. Naval Academy May 26, 2017 in Annapolis, Maryland. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence delivered the commencement address for the graduation ceremony. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)