kgw.com photo by viewer Brian Hughes

The USS Stethem pulled into downtown Portland for a past Fleet Week celebration.

Ships from the United States Navy, Coast Guard, and the Canadian Maritime Forces dropped anchor at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park Wednesday and Thursday for this year’s Rose Festival "Fleet Week."

 The fleet is docked between the Steel and Morrison bridges, on the Willamette River, and will remain through Monday, June 11.

 SLIDESHOWS: Share/View YOUR photos

Check MAP: Fleet Week ships layout

Fleet week has been an annual tradition in Portland for nearly 70 years.

The USS Charleston was the first ship to visit the Portland Rose Festival in 1907. Canadian Maritime Forces joined the fleet in 1924 and continue to bring about four ships each year.

The Battleship USS Oregon visited the Rose Festival in its final tour before decommissioning in 1925. The mast of the USS Oregon now resides in Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

Public tours:

Tours will generally be available to the general public on a walk-up basis and rules are subject to change. Folks will be guided through the ships between 12:30 and 4:30 p.m., Friday through Sunday, for 30-minute tours.

All visitors will be required to present a photo ID and pass through an airport-style security screening checkpoint prior to boarding the ships. Everyone is subject to search prior to entering the security zone. And visitors are encouraged to bring as few items as possible when arriving for their tour, and are recommended to wear flat-heeled, closed-toe shoes.

More coverage: Special Rose Festival Guide

 VIDEO: Rose Festival events, KGW reports

Fleet Week tour info:

The following items are prohibited during ship tours:

•Weapons, including knives, firearms and club weapons

•Defensive chemicals or spray, including mace and pepper spray; spray cans of any type

•Fireworks, flammable liquids or other explosives

•Illegal drugs and/or drug-related paraphernalia

•Large bags, including backpacks, diaper bags and large camera bags (small camera bags and small handbags may be permitted, but will be subject to search)

(Please note that no items, including strollers or wheelchairs, may be left unattended at the security checkpoint at any time. And no political or marketing activities are allowed while aboard U.S. Navy ships, including pamphleteering, making speeches, posting displays or advertising commercial interests.)