by erin thursby scopes1925@msn.com
What: Jacksonville Sea & Sky Spectacular
When: November 2-4
Where: Seawalk Pavilion/Jacksonville Beach
Jacksonville Beach’s Sea & Sky Spectacular has to be one of the most unique First Coast events you can go to this year. It’s joint effort from the City of Jacksonville, the Naval Station at Mayport and the Cities of Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach.
The free event brings together some of our country’s best talent in aviation feats, from the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels and various military parachuting teams to civilian performers such as wingwalker Theresa Stokes or Olympic level aerobatic champ Patty Wagstaff.
The air shows will happen all day Saturday and Sunday, but there’s plenty to do on the ground as well. The corresponding street festival (First Street from First Avenue North to Fifth Avenue North) will have interactive games, displays, simulators, children’s activities, arts and crafts and more. You can meet the pilots, score an autograph and buy some sweet merch with Blue Angels logos and Jacksonville Sea & Sky Spectacular T-shirts. If you get hungry, there will be a variety of food and beverage booths will serving an array of tasty treats.
For the littlest aspiring pilots, there will be an assortment of activities just for kids, featuring Little Pilots Lounge, dog tags, aircraft carrier inflatable, face painting, plus make and take crafts. Pick up a complimentary child ID kit to take home or fill out an ID band for your child to wear during the event, compliments of the City of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department. Ironically, this booth will also serve as a lost and found for both personal items and any child or adult you might lose during the event.
If you’re inspired by the show to become a military man or woman, there will be military recruitment booths onsite with reps from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Air National Guard, Marine and U.S. Coast Guard, to give you all the info you need.
If free is too cheap for you, there are VIP Viewing Cabanas on First Street between Fourth and Fifth Avenues North. A limited number of tickets are available at the event entrance each day. Prices are as follows: Adults $25.00 (includes two beverage tickets), children 4 -12 years $15.00 (includes two beverage tickets) and children 3 years and under are free. The Cabanas offer shade, are located on an oceanfront flight line and are available for private groups, corporate gatherings and invited guests.
While the event is free, you will want to have $20 for parking. Parking won’t be available on-site for the Saturday and Sunday festivities. Park at the TPC Lots located West of A1A on Palm Valley Road/County Road 210. There will be free shuttles running to and from the lots to the event site. For more info visit coj.net.
Event Hours: 6 -10 pm
Both military and civilian air show performers will practice their demonstrations and aerobatic feats. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels practice will commence at approximately 3 pm.
(6 pm-10 pm) Air Show Performers Meet & Greet & Dueling Pianos. This event is free and open to the public. Meet air show performers and crews as you listen and watch some of America’s premier pianists perform your favorite tunes. This is a great opportunity to get your favorite performer’s autograph!
Event Hours 10 am- 4 pm
10 am Skydiving teams, the Red Devils and Black Daggers will open the show with the American and British Flags while the National Anthem is sung by MU2 Mallory McKendry. Jacksonville Sea & Sky Spectacular Sky Show, Narrated by Danny Clisham.
Featuring:
- The U.S. Navy Blue Angels
- Patty Wagstaff
- Gene Soucy and Theresa Stokes
- John Klatt
- Red Baron Pizza Squadron
- Red Eagle Sports
- The Red Devils
- Matt Chapman
- The Black Daggers
- S-3 Viking
- F-16 Fighting Falcon
- F-104 Starfighters
- The Black Daggers
- P-3 Orion
- USCG Demonstration
- F-15 FANG
- U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight
- EA-6B Prowler
- David Martin
- F-18 Formation Flyby
- F-4 Phantom
• Meet the Performers at Aviation Alley! Presented by VyStar Credit Union
On Saturday and Sunday, pilots and performers will take time to meet and sign autographs for air show fans. This is a great opportunity to meet the men and women behind these incredible machines!
• Red Baron® 3-D Flying Adventure Feel like your flying with the Red Baron Pizza Squadron with a 3-D movie and try Red Baron® Pizza in the mobile kitchen.
• Visit one of the Clear Channel radio station booths for information and giveaways.
• Stop by the WTEV CBS47 and WAWS FOX30 booth for information and giveaways.
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