CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland National Air Show forged on Sunday, even as light rain and heavy clouds over Burke Lakefront Airport threatened the start of the second of three flying days over the Labor Day weekend and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels were forced to cancel their performance because of unsafe flying conditions.
The U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team called off a group jump because of a low cloud deck. A single jumper parachuted at a lower altitude, displaying a POW flag as his chute opened to the playing of Lee Greenwood’s song “God Bless the USA.”
Headlining this year’s show are the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, showcasing their new F/A-18 Super Hornets for the first time in Cleveland. The F/A-18 Super Hornet was featured in the summer blockbuster “Top Gun: Maverick.”
Two F-15 Eagles performed a tactical demonstration on Saturday, capping their performance with a fly-by over Progressive Field at the end of the national anthem during a Cleveland Guardians game. The last time the F-15 appeared in the Cleveland skies was 2010.
The show grounds hosts a wide array of aircraft, including a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker, used for refueling; a World War II-era B-25 bomber; and a United Airlines 737 MAX commercial jet. Air Show visitors can tour the inside of some planes, meet the pilots and explore aviation first hand.
The air show offers spectators the chance to explore interactive and STEM-based educational displays as well. The U.S. Navy “Nimitz” uses virtual reality to let users step into the shoes of a Navy SEAL. The Tuskegee Airman display highlights the first African-American military airmen in World War II.
Flying is scheduled to start for the air show’s third and final day at 9:30 a.m. Monday, and gates and parking open at 9 a.m.
General Admission tickets are $35 for adults and $20 for children ages 6-11. Children age 5 and younger are admitted for free. Tickets must be purchased in advance at www.clevelandairshow.com. Tickets will not be sold at the gate.
The Cleveland National Air Show has been a staple of Labor Day weekend in Northeast Ohio since 1964, bringing between 60,000 and 100,000 visitors to Burke Lakefront Airport and making it one of the region’s largest annual events.
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