The Parade of Ships kicked off for Seafair's Fleet Week around Elliott Bay on Wednesday, July 30, 2014. The parade started at approximately 1:45 p.m. The parade included military ships such as the USS Essex, USS Chancellorsville, USS Howard, HMCS Brandon, HMCS Edmonton, USCGC Mellon, as well as military aircraft that flew overhead.

The three Navy ships, along with two Royal Canadian Navy ships, and one U.S. Coast Guard vessel, are in Seattle to celebrate Seafair Fleet Week, a summer tradition in the Pacific Northwest since 1950.

The Seattle visit offers the public an opportunity to tour aboard the ships and meet Sailors as they showcase the ships' capabilities. It also gives citizens a chance to gain a better understanding of how the sea services support the Maritime Strategy and national defense of the United States.

Fleet Week ships will be open for public tours on piers 66, 69 and 90 from Thursday, July 31 through Sunday, August 3. Times for tours will vary by ship from day-to-day.

Here are the times and locations of the different ships you can tour:

Pier 66:

USS Chancellorsville
USS Howard

Thursday, July 31 - Saturday, August 2 - 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 3 - 12:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Pier 69:

HMCS Brandon
HMCS Edmonton

Thursday, July 31 - Friday, August 1 - 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Closed Saturday, August 2
Sunday, August 3 - 12:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Pier 90:

USS Essex
USCGC Mellon

Thursday, July 31 - Sunday, August 3 - 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
USCGC Mellon will not be open for tours on Fri, August 1