Louisiana's capital is scheduled to host members of the U.S. Navy during Baton Rouge Navy Week, Oct. 31 through Nov. 6, coinciding with the Greater Baton Rouge State Fair.

Rear Adm. Keith Jones, commander, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group, will be the senior Navy member on hand for the festivities throughout the week.

Navy Week will officially kick off at the USS Kid Veterans Museum. The free event will begin at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 31 with a concert featuring the Navy Band and a proclamation from Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and Mayor Melvin L. "Kip" Holden.

"Baton Rouge is extremely proud to be one of fifteen U.S. cities chosen this year to host Navy Week activities," said Mayor Holden. "For almost 18 years, a nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Baton Rouge, served our country as part of the Navy fleet, proudly carrying our city's name to ports throughout the world. It is our honor to welcome the Navy to Baton Rouge this week so our community can learn more about the important role it plays in keeping us safe."

During Baton Rouge Navy Week, Jones will also meet with corporate, civic, education and government leaders throughout the week.

Historically, Navy Week events draw thousands of attendees to participate and create a dialogue between Sailors and local residents. The events are designed to raise awareness about the Navy in areas that do not have a large naval presence.

"We are very excited to head to Baton Rouge to showcase the people and equipment of the Navy to the community and give them the opportunity to see what their Navy is all about, up close and personal," said Lt. Cmdr. Brett Dawson, lead planner for Baton Rouge Navy Week. "We have coordinated with civic, county and state leaders as well as a wide variety of military assets to create, what I believe, will be an outstanding week for the people of Baton Rouge."

Along with a performance at the kickoff event, Navy Band will have several other performances throughout the week, including concerts at Southern University and the Town Lawn, local radio shows and schools throughout the community.

Sailors from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 2 will also participate in Baton Rouge Navy Week, beginning with a joint exercise Monday morning with local law enforcement. They will have several engaging, dynamic, hands-on displays available for the community throughout the week, including displays at the state fairgrounds.

Sailors from USS Louisiana, Navy Recruiting District New Orleans and Navy Operational Support Center New Orleans will volunteer in the community at different outreach events. The Sailors will also be involved with the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, beautification projects and local Boys and Girls Clubs.

"Navy Week is a fantastic opportunity for the people in Baton Rouge to get to know a branch of the military that they aren't typically exposed to," said Dawson. "They'll be able to engage and interact with Sailors, and by the week's end, understand what they do for our country. In addition to getting to know the Navy, they'll have some great activities to enjoy throughout the week, including activities for kids and live music, something all Louisianans can appreciate."

Baton Rouge Navy Week is the final Navy Week for 2016 in a series of events that focus a variety of assets, equipment, and personnel on a single city for a weeklong period of engagements designed to bring America's Navy closer to the people it protects.

For more information and a full schedule of events, visit http://www.outreach.navy.mil.

For more information about the Navy, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy.