Look up! The Blue Angels will be streaking across the sky this weekend

Wings Over North Georgia brings Blue Angels to air show

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels in a four-ship echelon.
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels in a four-ship echelon.

If you go

› What: Wings Over North Georgia› Where: Russell Regional Airport, 304 Russell Field, Rome, Ga.› When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 21-22› Admission: General admission at the gate is $30 ages 18 and up; $25 ages 6-17; $25 military, EMS, fire and police; $99 family four-pack, which includes airport parking pass› For more information: wingsovernorthgeorgia.com

The population of Rome, Ga., (36,300) will almost triple this weekend with the addition of 60,000 visitors that Wings Over North Georgia air show is expecting to land.

"Based on a positive weather forecast and advance ticket sales, we anticipate hosting at least 60,000 during the course of the event," says Brenda Little of BBIG Marketing. "With the Blue Angels as the headlining demonstration team, interest has been higher than ever before."

Wings Over North Georgia will feature 15 aeronautic performers on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 21-22, at Russell Regional Airport in Rome. The air show, which began in 2012, has made an economic impact to Northwest Georgia and Floyd County of more than $5 million each year it has been held, according to Little.

Parking lots around the airport will open at 7:30 a.m. each day, with gates opening at 9 a.m. After opening ceremonies, playing of the national anthem and performer introductions, action in the air gets underway about noon.

Each afternoon's show will include a salute to all veterans and active military personnel in attendance, and there will be a Gold Star tribute wall on display.

Air show performers include AeroShell Aerobatic Team, NY-ANG C-17 Globemaster III, Rob Holland Airshows, Buck Roetman-Wild Horse Aviation, Wild Blue Airshows, USSOCOM Para-Commandos, Smoke-n-Thunder Jet Car Show, Smoke-n-Thunder Jet Truck, Sky Soldiers Cobra Demo Team, Bob Carlton & Vertigo Airshows, Jim Tobul F4U Corsair Demo, Scott Yoak P-51D Mustang Demo and TigerFlight Foundation Demo Team.

But it's the show's headliner, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, that is drawing such attention. The Blue Angels will present their death-defying skills at 3 p.m. both afternoons.

"Based on our surveys and attendance numbers, the Blue Angels are the fan favorite of all the military and civilian demonstration teams," says Little. "We work hard to book a military jet team at each of our four show sites and package them with the industry's world-class aerobatic and ground show performers and teams."

Advance-only airport parking is available for $20 per car or motorcycle. Numerous remote public parking locations will be available ($10 per car paid at the site) which include round-trip shuttle service to the airport.

Due to FAA regulations and for security reasons, there will be no tailgating in the airport parking areas.

Designated handicap parking areas will be available at the airport and at remote parking locations.

Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.

RIDE IN A HUEY OR COBRA HELICOPTER

Guests attending Wings Over North Georgia can experience their own aerial action by purchasing a ticket to ride in either a UH-1H Huey helicopter or AH-1F Cobra helicopter, both presented by the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation.The UH-1H Huey was designed as a troop transport that could carry 10 soldiers and a crew of three. It is widely identified with the Vietnam War and remains in Army National Guard service.A 6- to 7-minute ride is $85.The AH-1F Cobra helicopter was designed as America’s first true attack helicopter.A 6- to 7-minute ride is $350, a 13- to 14-minute ride is $550. Must be 16 years of age or older to ride.All passengers on either helicopter must be physically able to get on and off by themselves, able to fasten their seatbelt securely and sign a passenger liability release.

ALLOWED AND PROHIBITED ARTICLES

Allowed› Purses, backpacks, fanny packs and diaper bags› Cameras and camera bags› Child strollers and wagons› Portable lawn chairs› Handicap authorized scooters onlyProhibited› Coolers, except for medical purposes› Food and beverages, except baby formula› Narcotics and paraphernalia› Bikes, skates and skateboards› Personal shade and pop-up tents› Pets, except service dogs› WeaponsSource: Wings Over North Georgia

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