PENSACOLA FL- News reports indicate the folks in charge of
presenting the annual Blue Angels Homecoming show in November are proposing a
three-day Wings Over Pensacola Air Show Festival for Veterans Day holiday
weekend.
It appears the event at Pensacola Beach, Pensacola Naval Air Station and downtown Pensacola would take the place of the popular homecoming show that was slated for Nov. 1-2 in an effort to give air show fans some kind of high-flying event in the absence of the Blues.
The Navy's flight demonstration team shows have been grounded through the end of the year, thanks to sequestration.
The Wings Over Pensacola organizers with Pensacola NAS Morale, Welfare & Recreation are expected to ask the Santa Rosa Island Authority board on Wednesday for $125,000 to help pay for the event that could include:
• A night air show on the base featuring 17 acts, a concert and fireworks Nov. 8.
• An air show featuring 17 acts and a festival on the beach Nov. 9 and 10.
• A Salute to Veterans on Nov. 11 at Veterans Memorial Park
with seven civilian air show acts.
Blue Angels spokeswoman Katie Kelly said the Blues will not
be involved in this event. And base spokesman Harry White said no firm
decisions have been made to host the event yet.
If the Island Authority board administrative committee decides to support the show, it would go before the full board for a vote on Sept. 11. The board meets at 5 p.m. in the Island Authority board room, 1 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach.
For details, visit www.sria.fla.com or call 850-932-2257. FMI: PNJ by Kimberly Blair