VERO BEACH — They’re here! That thundering roar you will be hearing for the next few days belongs to the famed U. S. Navy Blue Angels, who flew into town Thursday morning to prep for this weekend’s Vero Beach Air Show, scheduled to take place May 10 and 11 at the Vero Beach Airport.
The event is being hosted by the nonprofit entity Vero Beach Air Show, Inc., to benefit the Exchange Clubs of Indian River, Treasure Coast and Vero Beach towards their mission to prevent child abuse, and the Veterans Council of Indian River County, to honor and assist current and former members of the armed forces.
“We’re pumped!” said Marty Zickert, a retired Air Force colonel, president of the Veterans Council of Indian River County, as organizers and invited guests gathered on the tarmac awaiting their arrival. “We’re welcoming all six of the ‘Blues.’ This will certainly get the attention of Vero Beach!”
“Oh boy – here they come!” said Eric Flowers, Indian River Sheriff’s Office Public Affairs Sergeant as all eyes turned to the west.
The six-man flight team zoomed in, flying in classic V-formation, wings just a mere 18-inches apart, before breaking off, circling around the airport in single file and touching down in front of the admiring crowd where they spoke with members of the media.
“It’s not just flying; it’s community outreach,” said Lt. Cmdr. Dave Tickle, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy who joined the Blue Angels in 2010. “It’s all about being a teammate; being a follower and a leader. We’re a very close knit team.”
He noted the importance of absolute trust in fellow teammates, adding, “Trust isn’t something that’s given; it’s earned. We gel as a team when we earn that trust together.”
Tickle said the mission of the Blue Angels is to inspire a culture of excellence and to inspire people to serve their country in some fashion.
“We want to be the best at what we do. If our goal is to be perfect, we’re striving for that perfection.”
Look for that perfection this weekend as the Blue Angels and numerous other exciting aerial acts take to the skies.
Other aerobatic performers include Patty Wagstaff, a three-time U.S. National Aerobatic Champion; Skip Steward aboard his biplane, Prometheus the Flying Machine; Rob Holland, winner of the last three U.S. National Unlimited Aerobatic Championships and a Gold Freestyle Medal at the World Aerobatic Championships; Scott “Scooter” Yoak and his restored Quick Silver P-51 Mustang; Dave Folk aboard an F4U-5N Corsair, one of the most famed fighters of WWII; The Lucas Oil Skydivers, parachuting in a series of breathtaking jumps; retired Northwest Airlines captain Julie Clark, marking her 31st year as a solo aerobatic air show pilot; and Fat Albert, a U.S. Marine Corps C-130 Hercules airlifter.
And just barely on the ground, the Shockwave Jet Truck, a jet engine powered semi-tractor trailer, which can travel up to 400 mph, and utilizes parachutes to stop.
To keep the little ones busy in-between performances, there will be an expanded Kid’s Zone, with aviation themed bounce houses and slides, a zip line, parachute drop and helicopter rides available for purchase.
Food and merchandize vendors and a display of military, vintage and personal aircraft will round out the offerings.
Gates will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, with opening ceremonies Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and performances beginning at Noon.
The main entrance is at the western end of the airport off 43rd avenue, and an army of volunteers and police will direct cars to the numerous free parking sites.
Adult tickets are $20 in advance; $25 at gate, juniors (ages 12 – 15) are $10 or $15, and children (ages 5 – 11) are $8 or $10. Children ages 4 and under are free.
For full details, visit www.veroairshow.com.