Four U.S. Navy Blue Angel F/A 8 Hornets fly in formation during their performance Sept. 1, 2018, at the Cleveland National Air Show. (Alexis Wade/U.S. Air National Guard)
CLEVELAND (Tribune News Service) — The Cleveland National Air Show will get “loud and proud” celebrating 60 years with historic military demonstrations in The Land this Labor Day weekend (Aug. 31-Sept. 2) at Burke Lakefront Airport.
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels Jet Demonstration Team, U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II and the U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II are among the event highlights.
The Blue Angels headline this year’s show with six “Blues” pilots in their F/A-18 Super Hornets flying their famed six-jet Delta Formation and other aerobatic maneuvers that put the aircraft within 18 inches of each other.
The 2024 team includes LCDR Amanda Lee, who made history as the first woman to serve as a jet demonstration pilot on the elite “Blues” team. The Blue Angels are a huge part of the Cleveland Air Show’s history, having made their first appearance in 1966 flying F-11A Tigers.
While the Air Show features this iconic first, it also marks the last performance of the iconic U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II Tactical Demonstration in Cleveland. The A-10 was the first U.S. Air Force aircraft “designed for close air support of ground forces.”
Nicknamed the “Warthog,” the A-10C made its first appearance in Cleveland in 1977 and has performed a total of 19 times.
In another first, the U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II Demonstration Team will perform. The F-35B, which replaced AV-8B Harrier, is equipped for short takeoff, maneuverability and vertical landing capability. It will be piloted by aviators from the Marine Corps’ Air Station Beaufort.
The Air Show is one of Cleveland’s premiere, family-friendly summertime traditions. Attendees can witness the Hot Streak Jet II Jet Truck race a plane down the runway, along with interactive displays, kid-friendly activities, drones and unique display aircraft.
General Admission day-specific tickets (for Saturday, Sunday or Monday) are $35 for adults ($40 if purchased after August 26); $20 for children ages 6-11 and free for children ages 5 and younger.
Reserved Box Seats, Sponsor Boxes, Barnstormer Club and Flight Deck Loge options offer special features for attendees ranging from $45 to $175. On-site parking passes are limited and also day-specific (Saturday, Sunday or Monday) and only available in advance at www.clevelandairshow.com.
There will be no gate sales for the events.
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