The Lone Star State will host the world's greatest Navy during San Antonio Navy Week April 18 through 24 with a weeklong series of community and outreach events.

Fiesta San Antonio, the anchor event, is a 125-year-old cultural celebration that began as a way to honor those who fought at the Alamo and Battle of San Jacinto and evolved into a major annual event featuring banquets, 'royalty' coronations and parades.

"As with all Navy weeks, we hope to offer the San Antonio community an opportunity to see their Navy and foster the relationship between the community and the Navy," said Lt. Jason Fischer, lead planner of San Antonio Navy Week. "Although the Navy does have a sizeable presence at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, we hope to increase the Navy population here for the week and give the community as many opportunities as possible to interact with Sailors."

Rear Adm. Samuel Perez, president, Board of Inspection and Survey, and Rear Adm. Dell Bull, chief of Naval Air Training, will meet with corporate, civic and government leaders throughout the week, including San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor.

"San Antonio Navy Week is very important to both the Navy and the San Antonio community," said Perez. "This event provides us with the opportunity to tell the Navy story to people who might not know what a naval career offers. Secondly, it gives me an opportunity to try and motivate young Hispanic kids. If I can do it, imagine how high your dreams can take you!"

Perez has personal ties to the city of San Antonio and Texas. He has one cousin who currently resides in San Antonio and a vast majority of his family lives in El Paso.

Historically, Navy Week events draw thousands of attendees to participate and create a dialogue between sailors and local residents.

"San Antonio has had a consistent military presence for nearly 300 years and we take great pride in being called Military City, USA," said Mayor Ivy R. Taylor. "We are especially excited to host Navy Week. As we Fiesta, I also urge residents to learn the Navy story and help celebrate our Sailors."

Sailors from USS Constitution and USS City of Corpus Christi will attend Fiesta, and participate in several community outreach events, including visits to local schools, Children's Hospital of San Antonio, and will contribute to a Habitat for Humanity build.

Also, Navy Band Southeast is scheduled to participate in parades and perform on several stages within Fiesta. They will also perform at the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital and the University of Texas-San Antonio.

"The goal for our musicians is to connect with the people of the great city of San Antonio both as Sailors and musicians," said Lt. Scott Mythen, director of Navy Band Southeast. "We have a unique job in the Navy and we look forward to telling the Navy story through our music during Fiesta events and Navy Week events. Our talented Sailors are excited to be a part of Navy Week San Antonio and part of the Navy team coming to Military City, USA!"

In addition, Navy divers and Sailors from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 1 will participate in events throughout the week, including speaking engagements at local schools and a kick-off event at the San Antonio Aquarium on the morning of April 18.

Navy Recruiting District San Antonio and Navy Operational Support Center will also host several community relations events and will visit Smithson Valley and Highland High Schools.

San Antonio Navy Week is the third of 15 Navy weeks in 2016 that focus a variety of assets, equipment and personnel on a single city for a weeklong series of engagements designed to bring America's Navy closer to the people it protects.

For a complete schedule and more information about San Antonio Navy Week, visit www.outreach.navy.mil