Airport Festival, nighttime pyrotechnic parachute jump and Boardwalk Aerobatic Air Show highlight Sept. 19-20 weekend
OCEAN CITY — From vintage warbirds on the ground to skydivers trailing pyrotechnics through the night sky, Ocean City will turn its attention overhead this weekend for its annual Air Show Weekend.
The Sept. 19-20 celebration will feature the Ocean City Airport Festival, a nighttime parachute pyrotechnic show and the Boardwalk Aerobatic Air Show. All of the air show events are free to attend.
Here's what visitors need to know.
Saturday: Ocean City Airport Festival
The weekend begins with the Ocean City Airport Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Ocean City Municipal Airport at 26th Street and Bay Avenue.
The festival will feature a ground display of aircraft ranging from World War II-era planes and warbirds to classic aircraft.
Team Fastrax, billed as “America's Skydiving Team,” is scheduled to perform a parachute jump at noon, weather and wind conditions permitting.
Boardwalk Merchants Association President Wes Kazmarck will get a particularly different view of Ocean City this year: He's scheduled to make a tandem parachute jump with a Team Fastrax member.
Immediately following the jump, Ocean City's half-mile Runway Run/Walk will give participants of all ages an opportunity to travel a stretch of pavement normally reserved for aircraft.
The festival also will feature food vendors, music, vehicle displays, face painting and children's airplane and coloring contests from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Helicopter rides will be available for purchase, and Ocean City mascots Martin and Mollie Mollusk are scheduled to appear.
Additional parking will be available at Shelter Road off Tennessee Avenue, with free shuttle service to the festival.
Saturday Night: Skydivers and Pyrotechnics
The action moves from the airport to the beach and Boardwalk Saturday night.
The Parachute Pyrotechnic Show is scheduled for 8 p.m.
Team Fastrax parachutists will exit an aircraft approximately 6,000 feet above Ocean City's beach and Boardwalk before igniting white and multicolored pyrotechnics while descending in formation.
The jump concludes with the parachutists landing on the Seventh Street Beach.
The display is expected to be visible from along the Boardwalk.
Righteous Brothers Join Ocean City Pops
Saturday evening also marks the season finale for the Ocean City Pops.
The Righteous Brothers will perform with the Pops at 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier.
The concert will pause so the audience can step outside the Music Pier to watch the 8 p.m. pyrotechnic parachute jump before the performance continues.
Tickets for the concert are available through the Music Pier Box Office and Ocean City's ticketing website.
Sunday: Aerobatic Air Show Over the Beach
The biggest event of the weekend takes place Sunday.
The Boardwalk Aerobatic Air Show begins at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, bringing stunt pilots and aerobatic performers over Ocean City's beach and Boardwalk.
This year's scheduled performers include Team Fastrax, Kevin Russo, the Jersey Jerks, Robert “Rooster” Schmidle and Dougherty Air Shows, among others.
Thousands of spectators traditionally watch the show from the beach and Boardwalk during one of the final weekends of the calendar summer.
Organizers say the best viewing area is between Fifth and 14th streets.
What to Know Before You Go
There is no rain date for the air performances. Any of the flying events can be canceled if wind, weather or other conditions make flying unsafe.
The early forecast calls for sunny and clear conditions, according to the city, although visitors should check the latest forecast and event information before heading out.
The Airport Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, followed by the 8 p.m. Parachute Pyrotechnic Show. The Boardwalk Aerobatic Air Show begins at 1 p.m. Sunday.
With aircraft on the ground, skydivers overhead and aerobatic performers above the ocean, Ocean City is packing three distinctly different aviation experiences into one September weekend.
About the Author
Karen Johnson
With over 30 years of news experience in major markets like Los Angeles, Denver, and Columbus, Karen now covers our area for South Jersey NewsBeat. She also brings her articulate and conversational news delivery to WOND radio listeners every weekday. Her background includes work with the NBC Radio Network, and she thrives in fast-paced news environments.
