The Navy’s appearance at Sheepshead Bay High did not go according to plan — but students still had a rockin’ good time.
A Navy band gave an impromptu indoor rock concert at Sheepshead Bay High School on May 24, after a rainstorm prevented a team of Navy Seals from landing a Knighthawk helicopter on the school’s football field in a highly-anticipated Fleet Week air show.
The Seals were supposed to repel out of the Knighthawk onto the 50-yard line, then give students an up-close peek at the high-tech chopper, but the demonstration was canceled at the last minute when the helicopter was stranded at Teterboro Airport.
Instead, an eight-person Navy band entertained 500 students, teachers, and staff with an hour-long show in the school’s auditorium.
Assistant Principal Neil Griffenberg said the concert was an excellent rainy day substitute.
“We were looking forward to the air show,” Griffenberg said. “But the concert was fun — kids were dancing in the aisles.”
Griffenberg said the show was such a success that he’s asked the Navy to come back for a repeat performance next year.
New York’s Fleet Week, a celebration of the Navy and Marine Corps, takes place each year in the last week of May.
Reach reporter Daniel Bush at dbush@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-8310. Follow him at twitter.com/dan_bush.
