The Blue Angels return to Jacksonville, where their story began

Jacksonville has a place in the Blue Angels’ story that no visiting tour stop can claim. The team’s first exhibition took place at Craig Field here in June 1946. Eighty years later, their return for the NAS Jax Air Show brings that history back into view.

The Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds are both scheduled to perform during the October 17–18 weekend at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. Gates open at 9 a.m., with demonstrations beginning at 11. Admission and parking are free, and no ticket is needed for general entry.

For families, it is an invitation to spend a day exploring a part of Jacksonville that is usually seen from outside the gate. The flying program is the headline, but aircraft on the ground offer another way to take in the scale and detail of aviation. The Kids Zone adds STEM activities, alongside other games and attractions.

Editor's note: The Blue Angels’ first exhibition took place in Jacksonville in 1946.

The local history gives the spectacle an extra dimension. The Naval History and Heritage Command traces the team's first exhibition to Jacksonville, before the Blue Angels name was introduced that July. A child watching the team this weekend can connect what is overhead to something that began here, rather than somewhere far away.

The Blue Angels are scheduled for 3 p.m. both days. Give yourself time before the finale to explore the displays and settle in; the same flying lineup is planned for Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting.

A little preparation will make the invitation easier to enjoy. The air show’s current entry guidance requires guests 18 and older to bring government-issued REAL ID. Foreign nationals must present a passport; lawful permanent residents may present a green card.

Plan for an exposed airfield: the organizers say there is no shade, recommend sun protection and encourage ear protection, especially for young children. Chairs, blankets, strollers and wagons are permitted. Food, beverages and upgraded seating involve separate purchases; bringing cash is recommended. Refillable water bottles are allowed, but the organizer says potable water is not available on the airfield.

The public show is Saturday and Sunday at 6801 Roosevelt Boulevard. Friday’s practice is for people with base access and their guests, rather than another general-admission day.

Whether you are introducing a child to aviation or returning to a familiar Jacksonville tradition, this is a chance to see both the performance and the local history behind it.

See the NAS Jacksonville Air Show on Errbody.