The capital of Utah, Salt Lake City, hosts the U.S. Navy during Salt Lake City Navy Week which starts Sept. 7 and goes through Sept. 13.

The events and special programs scheduled throughout SLC are the culmination of planning and preparation over many months by the Navy Office of Community Outreach, multiple Navy assets and city leaders.

Navy weeks focus a variety of assets, equipment and personnel on a single area for a week-long series of engagements designed to bring America's Navy closer to the people it protects.

Among those assets is U.S. Navy Band Northwest, who will kick off the Navy week on Labor Day with an interview and performance on FOX 13 "Good Day Utah" at 8 a.m.

"Navy Band Northwest brings a face of the Navy that folks may never see if they live hundreds of miles from the coast," said Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph Schoonmaker, operations petty officer and trombone player with U.S. Navy Band Northwest.

With SLC Navy Week happening the same time as the Utah State Fair, Navy Band Northwest will also have several performances throughout the week at the state fair, a performance at Brigham Young University and will be performing the national anthem at the University of Utah football game vs. Utah State University on Sept. 11.

"We have performances at the beautiful downtown public library, Utah State Fair, the county government center, two parades and more," said Schoonmaker. "It's very exciting to have our director, Lt. Bruce Mansfield, conducting the national anthem at the University of Utah football game on the anniversary of 9/11."

Along with the U.S. Navy Band national anthem performance, the U.S. Navy parachute team, the Leap Frogs, will also perform a jump demonstration before kick-off of the Utes vs. Aggies football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

The Leap Frogs will also have an interview with FOX 13 the morning of the football game and perform at the Utah State Fair before the rodeo Sept. 12.

Also in attendance for this Navy week will be Rear Adm. Rick Snyder, director, Strategy, Policy and Plans, North American Aerospace Defense Command, U.S. Northern Command.

Rear Adm. Snyder will receive a SLC Navy Week proclamation from Utah Gov. Gary Herbert Sept. 9. He will also participate in various activities throughout the week, including executive outreach meetings with community leaders, community outreach events, news interviews, as well as attending the instate rivalry football game, Utes vs. Aggies.

Along with Snyder, Rear Adm. Bruce L. Gillingham, Commander of Navy Medicine West, will visit The University of Utah School of Medicine and Intermountain Healthcare to exchange ideas.

"We are excited to share what we know, and learn from our military counterparts," said Bill Barnes, Intermountain Healthcare government relations director. "Intermountain Healthcare is always in the process of learning and refining technique to help our patients. We were approached by Navy Health to share ideas, which fits perfectly into our mission to help others live the healthiest lives possible."

EOD Sailors and Navy divers will participate in the week's activities, being present at the state fair and local elementary schools to do demonstrations with Navy robotics as a part of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics program.

"This will be a unique experience for students and teachers," said Sheila Stark, administrative intern at Syracuse Elementary School. "It is an opportunity to spark interest and excitement about seeking more opportunities that involve STEM, which is essential to meet the demands of growing professions that involve these skills."

According to the National Science Foundation, in the 21st century, scientific and technological innovations have become increasingly important as the country faces the benefits and challenges of both globalization and a knowledge-based economy. To succeed in this new information-based and highly technological society, students need to develop their capabilities in STEM levels much beyond what was considered acceptable in the past.

EOD and Navy divers will demonstrate the U.S. Navy's technological capabilities in hopes to awaken interest in STEM from the students at these local schools.

"We hope students will gain exposure to STEM concepts and how it applies to real world experiences and what better avenue to receive it from than a well-established branch of the military that uses these skills daily," said Stark.

USS Constitution will also be in attendance, conducting community outreach events at the YMCA, local elementary schools and the public library, while Sailors from other commands will also participate in these events.

"We are very fortunate to have Navy Sailors join us during Navy week to educate our children on the past, present and future of the U.S. Navy," said the YMCA in an official statement. "We are always excited to host members of the community who serve as great role models. This helps our youth increase their self-confidence, social and communication skills, positive behaviors and help improve relationships at home, school and within the community."

SLC Navy Week is the 10th of 12 Navy Weeks in 2015.

This Navy week is unique because it coincides with the Utah State Fair, which allows for a lot of interaction with the citizens of SLC and familiarizing them with the U.S. Navy.

For more information about SLC Navy Week, visit www.navyoutreach.org.