News Summary
Despite the cancellation of the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels due to a federal government shutdown, Jacksonville will still hold the Sea and Sky Air Show this weekend. Attendees can look forward to thrilling performances from six civilian acts, including a new veteran-owned parachute team, The Chuters. Local businesses express concern over potential drops in attendance, but the show will feature a festive atmosphere with food trucks, vendors, and activities. Attendees should note that no public beach parking will be available, and shuttle services will be provided to transport participants.
Jacksonville will host the Sea and Sky Air Show this weekend, October 25-26, despite the cancellation of some prominent performances. The U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels and the Viper Demo Team will not participate due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, a decision that was made public on Friday afternoon, less than a day before the event.
However, attendees will still be treated to a variety of thrilling performances by six civilian acts. Among these is a new addition to the lineup, The Chuters, a veteran-owned parachute team, which will replace the Blue Angels. Other civilian performers include Adam Baker Airshows, Mini Jet Airshows, Radial Rumble Airshows, Redline Airshows, and the Titan Aerobatic Team.
Local businesses in Jacksonville Beach express concern about a potential drop in attendance and subsequent sales in the absence of the Blue Angels, which traditionally draw large crowds to the event. The cancellation may affect the foot traffic at local bars and restaurants that typically benefit from the influx of visitors during the air show.
Despite this setback, the air show promises a festive atmosphere with attractions including food trucks, vendors, and a Military Recruitment Zone presented by The Boeing Company. Participants will be allowed to bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating. Pop-up tents are permitted on the beach, though not in other areas.
Swimming and surfing will still be allowed during the show but only within 300 feet of the shore for safety reasons. In addition, the event will be a cashless experience, with all transactions requiring credit or debit cards. In case of rain, the show will proceed, although some performances may be delayed or canceled for safety considerations.
A key logistical detail for attendees is that no public beach parking will be available during the event. Shuttle services will be in place to transport participants from designated locations at the University of North Florida (UNF) and Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) at a cost of $10 for a round trip. As a result, road closures will be implemented around Jacksonville Beach from Friday through Sunday to facilitate the event.
In summary, while the cancellation of the Blue Angels has altered expectations for many attendees, the Sea and Sky Air Show is still set to deliver an exciting weekend filled with aerial displays, community engagement, and entertainment for all ages.
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Additional Resources
- First Coast News: Sea and Sky Air Show Schedule and Parking Guide
- News 4 JAX: Sea and Sky Air Show Returns to Jacksonville Beach
- Action News JAX: Civilian Pilots Expect Great Turnout
- WOKV: No Blue Angels for Jacksonville’s Sea and Sky Air Show
- News 4 JAX: Civilian Performer Talks About Upcoming Participation
- Wikipedia: Sea and Sky Air Show
- Google Search: Jacksonville Sea and Sky Air Show
- Google Scholar: Sea and Sky Air Show
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Air shows
- Google News: Sea and Sky Air Show
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
