NAS Air Show Coming! (Jacksonville, Princeton: how much, home, vs)

[BabyBoomers2]

Yep, it's the big Gator vs Bulldog game tomorrow AND next weekend it's the Air Show at NAS (Nov 5-6). You can find out more info by writing 2011 Jacksonville Air Show in the search area of the internet. The first webite will be the event.

[BabyBoomers2]

This Saturday and Sunday! Only thing is, it's going to be WINDY and COOL there! Winds of 20 mph or more and highs only 69 to 71. So, that means when the gates open at 9AM......it's gonna be cool-to-dang cold (Florida type "cold" that is). I'm really wondering how NAS will keep their Food Tents up with that kind of wind.
Also, wonder how many boaters will be out on the water during the event. I'm sure the river will be rocky with "white caps"! Nothing like being "rocked around" while trying to watch an airshow from the water!
Think we will skip this years event.

[GadgetRick]

Thinking about taking the kids over. Where is it held? I thought it was at NAS?

[madcapmagishion]

It is at NAS. The gates open at 9:00 a.m. and the show begins both days at 10:00 a.m. The Blue Angels perform at 2:30 p.m. Parking and admission are free.

A Little Blue Angel History;

At the end of World War II, Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, the Chief of Naval Operations, ordered the formation of a flight demonstration team to keep the public interested in Naval Aviation. The Blue Angels performed their first flight demonstration less than a year later in June 1946 at their home base, Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, Florida. Flying the Grumman F6F Hellcat, they were led by Lt. Cmdr. Roy "Butch" Voris.

Only two months later on August 25, 1946, the Blue Angels transitioned to the Grumman F8F Bearcat and introduced the famous "diamond" formation.

By the end of the 1940s, the Blue Angels were flying their first jet aircraft, the Grumman F9F-2 Panther. In response to the demands placed on Naval Aviation in the Korean Conflict, the team reported to the aircraft carrier USS Princeton as the nucleus of Fighter Squadron 191 (VF-191), "Satan's Kitten", in 1950

[BabyBoomers2]

Just read my post about what the weather will be like! Obviously they are saying much about how the weather will affect anything........the vendors want the business! Last year, very little wind and warmer temps. Although, as we were leaving, after Saturdays performance, it poured down rain for a few minutes going to the main gate.

[mississippimagnolia]

Just a hint: GO EARLY! Traffic and parking are a nightmare.

[GadgetRick]

Yeah, we're not making it because we couldn't make it early.

I'm also skeptical about how much they'll be able to do because it's gonna be a windy day (apparently).

Bummer as I thought my boys would also enjoy it. Maybe next year at the beach.

[BabyBoomers2]

We went to the Target next to NAS yesterday around 1PM. When we got there, the parking lot was about half full of cars of airshow watchers and numerous people sitting on lawn chairs and standing. At 2:30PM, when we got out of our vehicle to view Fat Albert taking to the sky, the parking lot was packed with cars/trucks. We were sort of amazed at how many people were at Target, due to the low ceiling (clouds) and wind. We only seen one couple that looked like they were in our age bracket. A lot of folks in their 60's plus wouldn't stand outside for hours in that kind of weather and view this thing! Sometimes the wind wasn't bad, then it would come up at a pretty good clip. It was somewhat cold and we had warm coats on.
Inbetween 1PM and 2:30PM, we walked thru Target and bought some lunch that we ate in our vehicle. It did seem like parts of the airshow, while we were in the parking lot, was limited, due to the weather.
I'm sure Target sure made some money from airshow watchers!
Watching the Blue Angels perform was TOTALLY cool! We left before their performance was over, but still ran into some fairly heavy traffic heading back to the 295 freeway.

[Caladium]

Glad you had a fun time, even if the weather wasn't completely cooperative. I've always enjoyed shows like this.