Fleet Week is returning for 2017 - either an exciting event or mild annoyance, depending on your point of view - bringing big ships, bridge lifts and sailors in their dress whites to downtown Portland from June 7 to 12.

It's a time-honored tradition for Portland and the Rose Festival, though the modern event is a far cry from its glory days in the 20th century.

Back in the 1980s and '90s, more than 25 ships lined the seawall downtown, with half a dozen berthed elsewhere, sailors flooding local businesses with cash. Today, the event is lucky to get 10 ships, as the U.S. Navy has scaled back its port of call significantly - a victim of both a decrease in fleet and post-9/11 security measures.

Despite the smaller showing, Fleet Week carries on, returning for another week of ship tours, sailors and, yes, rush hour bridge lifts. Here are seven things you need to know about the big event.

1. A "unique" new Navy ship is coming

The Navy hasn't publically released the name of the new ship that's coming, but Rose Festival spokesman Rich Jarvis said it's a "unique" vessel that will leave people in awe. What we do know is that it's a littoral combat ship, and that it's "the latest technology." It's scheduled to be the last ship to arrive for the big event.

2. No disruptions expected

Back in April, the Rose Festival Foundation received criticism from protesters who disagreed with the show of military vessels in Portland. Jarvis said the foundation has heard no direct threats since then, and doesn't expect the event to be disrupted. Either way, security will be coordinated by the Department of Homeland Security, which might handle protests differently than Portland police. "When they're in the house, it's their house," Jarvis said.

3. Be prepared for bridge lifts

Fleet Week tends to be a pain for downtown commuters, who grapple with more bridge lifts than usual during the four days the ships are coming to and going from Portland. The ships will be coming in on June 7 and 8, and leaving June 11 and 12. Most bridge lifts are scheduled between noon and 4 p.m., but don't expect the ships to stick to that.

4. Sailors are toning it down... or so they say

According to a well-worn local stereotype, sailors during Fleet Week are known to receive a particularly warm reception in town, especially at downtown watering holes, and especially from the women in Portland. But two years ago some sailors coming into town said that attitude "was from the old guard of the Navy," and that while nightlife is always a part of visiting Portland, the visit is more about "command relations" than partying.

5. Free tours

As always, the ships coming in for Fleet Week will be made available for free tours. The general public can show up for tours between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. June 7-11. Rules for the tours are a little strict, at least in regard to what you can bring. No bags, strollers or wheelchairs will be allowed onboard, and there won't be any holding area for your belongings.

6. Schedule

Fleet Week officially runs between June 7 and 11 for 2017, but ships will be coming in on June 7 and 8, and will be leaving June 11 and 12.

7. Ship lineup

The full lineup hasn't been released, but there will be eight ships in all: U.S. Coast Guard cutters Alert, Orcas, Bluebell and Ironwood; two Canadian Coast Guard vessels; and two Navy ships, a Ticonderoga-class cruiser and the new littoral combat ship.

--Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesB