Port Chicago Weekend 2024

Port Chicago Weekend - See the Events

Port Chicago Weekend is a 4-day festival of music, art, cuisine, theater, exhibits, and entertainment that spans several cities across the Bay Area. The festivities align with and support the 80th Anniversary of the national World War II and civil rights history of Port Chicago which profoundly impacted the San Francisco Bay Area in 1944.

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July 18th

Justice in the Bay: Thurgood Marshall & The Bay Area's Role in Desegregation

Join us for an inspiring educational event as the African American Museum and Library at Oakland partners with Port Chicago Alliance to pay tribute to the legacy of Thurgood Marshall.

This special gathering honors Marshall's tireless advocacy for racial equality, particularly his support in 1944 for the Bay Area's Port Chicago sailors, whose courage and resilience in the face of racial discrimination helped to transform the landscape of civil rights in America.

Through presentations and discussions, we will celebrate Marshall's enduring impact here in the Bay Area, where Marshall successfully launched a national campaign to end segregation in the military a full decade before Brown v. Board of Education in 1954.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to reflect on the intersections of history, justice, and community.

3:00 pm - 5:00 pm, 659 14th St, Oakland, CA 94612

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July 19th

Mare Island Lecture/Tour: Absorbing the Shock of Port Chicago: Losing Weapons Transshipments Across the Pacific Theater

Join us for this free lecture/tour program to learn more about the criticality of Port Chicago to the fight in the Pacific, and the role that Mare Island played in both the refusal of black sailors to return to work under unsafe working conditions and their vital role in supplying desperately needed ammunition to those at the point of the spear.

The program will begin at St. Peter's Chapel with a 30-minute presentation. Attendees are then invited to drive up to the Mare Island Preserve for a tour of some of the sites presented in the lecture. This program is presented as part of the 80th commemoration of the explosion at Port Chicago.

Tickets are free, but there are a limited number. Please make your reservation today!

10-11:30 am, St. Peter's Chapel1181 Walnut Ave Vallejo, CA 94592

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July 19th

Contra Costa County Bar Association Port Chicago Taskforce Workshop

Join us for an engaging workshop featuring historians, attorneys, community advocates, and Port Chicago Sailor descendants that offers a unique opportunity to delve into the multifaceted history of Port Chicago.

Explore the legacy of Port Chicago, its profound impact, and ongoing efforts to honor its memory. Participants will gain insights from experts and those personally connected to the events, fostering a deeper understanding of the legal, social, and historical dimensions of Port Chicago.

Don't miss this chance to learn, connect, and contribute to the continuing narrative of this significant chapter in American history.

1:00 pm, 1970 Diamond Blvd Concord, CA 94520 (Concord Hilton)

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July 19th

Pinots for Port Chicago

Join us for a pre-show tasting featuring Black winemaker, André Mack's Maison Noir wines: OPP Pinot Gris and OPP Pinot Noir. This will be a reception-style tasting, complete with delicious cheeses and charcuterie, and all the delicious things any cheese board should have!

Reserve your spot today and raise a glass in tribute to the Port Chicago Sailors.

Limited seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

5:00 pm - 6:30 pm, 90 E 4th St, Pittsburg, CA 94565

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July 19th

Port Chicago 50 The Play

Port Chicago 50 The Play is a stirring tale of love for country, the pursuit of the American Dream, and the fight for equality and justice.

7:00 pm, 351 Railroad Ave, Pittsburg, CA 94565

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July 20th

National Park Service's 80th Anniversary Port Chicago Commemoration

The National Park Service, in collaboration with the Friends of Port Chicago National Memorial, and the U.S. Army’s 834th Transportation Battalion, invites you to join the annual Port Chicago Commemoration on July 20, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. with a reception to follow the ceremony.

The event will be held at Military Ocean Terminal Concord (MOTCO), which is an active military base, requiring all visitors to have a reservation and a security check. Visitors aged 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

10:30 am, Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial - Reservation REQUIRED

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July 20th

Port Chicago Youth Gathering

Port Chicago Youth Gathering incorporates music, book excerpts, solo bass performances, and an interactive audience discussion with the aim of nurturing pride, understanding, and a sense of belonging.

The event is for ages 11 and older. All are welcome.

3 pm - 4 pm, 1001 Stoneman Ave Pittsburg, CA 94565

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July 20th

Marcus Shelby Orchestra Live

For the first time in several years, the Marcus Shelby Orchestra will present "Port Chicago," a suite that honors the history of Port Chicago. The music includes instrumental compositions that will transport you back in time with pieces like "Call to War," "Training Day," "Big Liberty Blues," and "Exoneration."

6:00 pm, 351 Railroad Ave, Pittsburg, CA 94565

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July 21st

Port Chicago Weekend Harbor Festival

Experience local music, art, cuisine, creators, and community at the Harbor Festival! Join us by the waterfront as we celebrate our beautiful home while supporting our local community.

12:00 am - 3:00 pm, 860 Nimitz Ave Vallejo, CA 94592

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