SAN DIEGO -- With proud well-wishers looking on, hundreds of new Marines graduated from boot camp Friday, in a ceremony marking the beginning of this weekend's Fleet Week events.

The 578 recruits' training experience culminated with a morning ceremony that friends and family attended at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot.

The graduation and a colors ceremony were incorporated into the nearly monthlong slate of Fleet Week events.

"The men and women we recognize during Fleet Week are the service people currently fighting across the world, those stationed here to defend our coasts and those who have served our country in previous wars," said Lorin Stewart, who chairs this year's events.

Saturday's Sea-n-Air Parade is the centerpiece Fleet Week event, featuring the latest military technology, showcased in vessels and aircraft along San Diego Bay.

Among the parade highlights will be appearances by a Navy SEAL fast boat, the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson and the fast attack submarine USS Salt Lake City.

Flyovers will include a Harrier II Marine attack aircraft and other military and civilian aircraft. Demonstrations will include a parachute drop and a Coast Guard helicopter search and rescue team.

The historic Star of India will close out the parade with one of only two sailing appearances scheduled this year.

Last year's Fleet Week activities were scaled back considerably, since they were to occur in the weeks following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Also Saturday, the "Bands and Booms" event at Seaport Village and North Embarcadero will feature live music and a fireworks show.

For more information, visit the Fleet Week San Diego Web site.