Ships Sail Out As A Successful Fleet Week Comes To An End

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BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It was a week to remember. For days all eyes were on Baltimore for the Maryland Fleet Week and Air Show. The event drew tens of thousands of people downtown.

On Monday, the final ships set sail out of the harbor.

.@TheMDTA says: The largest destroyer ever built for the @USNavy, the USS Zumwalt, bids us farewell. #mdfleetweek pic.twitter.com/MqtOfkU9pF
— MDTransportationDept (@MDOTNews) October 17, 2016

Organizers say it was beyond a success, some say it's the most packed they've seen the harbor in years.

To the massive crowds it was seven days downtown that didn't disappoint.

"This is pretty awesome," said visitor George Myers.

Headlined by the Blue Angels, Maryland Fleet Week and Air Show put Baltimore in the national spotlight.

Brothers Alex and William Arostegui were in awe of the scene and the Blue Angels, dressed in their "Top Gun" pilot uniforms.

The event took over the harbor, with dozens of Coast Guard and Navy ships on full display.

"I'm a navy reservist so I wanted my kids to see stuff I did back in my younger days," said Josh Arostegui, Columbia.

Drawing 500,000 plus visitors to the city, business owners are hoping to reap the benefits from the local economic impact.

"I've been around the inner harbor for a long time and I haven't seen it this crowded in years," said Chris Rowsom, Maryland Fleet Week spokesperson and Executive Director of Historic Ships in Baltimore.

Organizers say the event was such a great success for the city, they're now looking to hold it every 2 years.

"Look for anotherMaryland Fleet Week and Air Show baltimore in 2018," said Rowsom.

Some can't wait that long, hoping the week's success attracts similar events back to Charm City.

"It's pretty cool, it's pretty cool, they need to bring more things like to this Baltimore," said George Myers.

Baltimore City Police had increased security throughout the week including the air surveillance program

Police say there were no major incidents.

The Baltimore Running Festival was also held this weekend, which organizers say contributes $40 million to the local economy.