Pensacola Beach Air Show parking requires a plan. Casino closed at 3:30 a.m. in 2024
Every year, thousands crowd the beach to get a glimpse of the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron Blue Angels. But, there are not thousands of parking spots on Casino Beach, and parking has been tricky to find for years during Blue Angels weekend.
Here's what to know about parking and how to find it.
Finding a parking spot is always the most difficult part of getting to Casino Beach to watch the Blue Angels fly, and each year security closes the parking lot earlier and earlier.
Just a few years ago, you'd have to get to Casino Beach around 4 or 5 a.m. to find a spot. However, in 2024, deputies with the Escambia County Sheriff's Office closed the parking lot at 3:30 a.m. Many people began their journey to the beach the night before air show and waited overnight.
If you don't make it to Casino Beach in time to find parking, Park East and West have additional parking. The Santa Rosa Island Authority will provide a free trolley service to Casino Beach.
During Blue Angels weekend, the SRIA extends its trolley schedule to help alleviate parking and traffic concerns with show.
On July 11, the full dress rehearsal of the show, the SRIA's three open-air trolleys will begin their routes at 7:30 a.m., extending to Park East until 6 p.m. On July 12, the official air show, the three trolleys along with four buses will run from 6:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.
All trolley stops are designated with a bright Escambia County Area Transit-branded feather flag.
After the air show, trolleys servicing Portofino Resort and Park East will be staged on Via de Luna Drive in front of Sideline's Sports Bar. Trolleys for Park West will be staged on Fort Pickens Road in front of Surf & Sand Hotel and The Sandshaker.
Yes. In fact, watching by boat is one of the best ways to watch the Pensacola Beach Air Show. Prior to the air show, the U.S. Coast Guard will mark off areas of the water directly beneath the show, but you'll find plenty of spots to anchor and get a great view of the show.
Two of the most popular spots are near Quietwater Beach (on the east side of the Bob Sikes Bridge) and Little Sabine. Your view will be slightly obscured by some of the condos and hotels, but you'll have your own space onboard your boat and you won't have to deal with the regular traffic.
July 9: Breakfast with the Blues – At 7:30 a.m., the Blue Angels will make a brief appearance at Pensacola Beach to mark their flight paths. Fans won't get a show, but it makes for the perfect distraction during breakfast for anyone who comes out to watch.
July 10: Practice flight – The Blue Angels will conduct a practice flight at 2 p.m. The Blues' performance should be identical to what fans see on Saturday, making it the perfect opportunity to catch a less-crowded version of the show.
July 11: Full dress rehearsal – Friday's dress rehearsal starts at 11 a.m. and is identical to the full show, so expect a full-show crowd. The Blue Angels are set to perform at 2 p.m.
July 12: Official show – Saturday's official show will mimic Friday's, starting at 11 a.m., with the Blue Angels flying at 2 p.m.
The 2025 Pensacola Beach Air Show will officially start at 11 a.m., but fans will want to arrive earlier. Not just to beat the traffic and find a good spot, but because a handful of pre-show flight demonstrations will take to the skies around 10:30 a.m. Here's who is performing:
The Black Ducks in WWII-era aircraft
Sheldon Heatherington in a Zenith 75 STOL named 'Redbird'
Gene Valentino in an Icon A-5
Tanner Matheny in a 1946 Navion named 'Olivia'
Veterans Flight team in their WWII-era Stearman biplanes honoring WWII and Korean War veterans, led by Roy Kinsey
HT-18 training helicopters from TAW-5 aboard NAS Whiting Field
VT-10 flying T-6 Texans from TAW-6 aboard NAS Pensacola
U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue demo from an MH-65E Dolphin
The official air box will close, and lifeguards will clear the water around 11:40 a.m., which is when the official performers will take flight.
The Blue Angels always close out the air show at 2 p.m. alongside the team's beloved support aircraft, Fat Albert. Fat Albert will typically fly for about 15 minutes before the Blue Angels take to the skies for the next 45.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Blue Angels Pensacola Beach Air Show parking fills fast
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