Blue Angels headline 2025 Waterstone Bank Air & Water Show on Saturday
The first day of the Milwaukee air show starts on Saturday, July 19, and if sold-out premium ticket sales are any sign, it'll be a busy one.
The show, which remains Wisconsin's largest free public event, draws in more than 150,000 people over the two-day event, using proceeds from the show to support veterans and armed services communities.
The Blue Angels will headline a line-up that features around a dozen other military and civilian performers, including the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demo Team and the 128th Air Refueling Wing's Boeing KC-135.
The 2025 Waterstone Bank Air & Water Show kicks off with the water show at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Here's everything you need to know.
What time does the Milwaukee air show start on Saturday?
The 2025 Waterstone Bank Air & Water Show is a two-day event taking place on July 19-20. The water show will kick things off both days at 10 a.m.
If you don't have reserved parking tickets, you'll want to make sure you arrive a few hours before the air show starts to find parking. Anyone who sprung for reserved parking will also want to give themselves time to park as Lincoln Memorial Drive gets congested.
What's the Milwaukee air show schedule on Saturday?
The Waterstone Bank Air & Water Show schedule is the same for Saturday and Sunday. All times are approximations and weather dependent.
10 a.m. — Water show
Noon — National Anthem / ReMax Parachute Team
3 p.m. — The Blue Angels
Who is performing at the Milwaukee air show?
Military performers
U.S. Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron – The mission of the Navy Blue Angels is to showcase the teamwork and professionalism of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps by inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country through flight demonstrations and community outreach. Since 1946, the Blue Angels have performed for more than 500 million fans.
U.S. Navy Blue Angels - C-130 – "Fat Albert" — 'Fat Albert,' the Blue Angels' support aircraft, returns to Milwaukee. The C-130, acquired from the U.K. Royal Air Force in 2020, is vital in transporting personnel and equipment. The aircraft has been an integral part of the team's history since 1970.
U.S. Air Force Academy – Wings of Blue Parachute Team — The Wings of Blue parachute team brings precision freefall demonstrations to the lakefront, including its signature 'Bomb Burst' maneuver at terminal velocity.
U.S. Air Force – F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team — The F-22 Raptor Demo Team returns to showcase the agility of the world's only operational fifth-generation fighter. Based at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, the team has performed more than 250 demonstrations across the world.
U.S. Air Force – Heritage Flight Formation – F-22 Raptor with P-51 Mustang — The Heritage Flight formation highlights aviation history with a modern F-22 Raptor flying alongside a World War II-era P-51 Mustang. It honors past and present air power and has thrilled audiences since 1997.
U.S. Air Force – C-17 Globemaster East Coast Demonstration Team — The C-17 Globemaster Demonstration Team flies high-performance routines that aren't much different from operational missions. The four-member team showcases the capabilities of the C-17 Globemaster and consists of veteran pilots who have been instructors, evaluators or aircraft commanders
Illinois Air National Guard – C-130 Hercules — The 182nd Airlift Wing will debut its C-130J Hercules at the Milwaukee Air & Water Show. The Wing's missions include delivering humanitarian aid, aeromedical evacuation, tactical air control of aircraft, and fatality search and recovery.
Wisconsin Air National Guard – F-35 Lightning — Flying the advanced F-35 Lightning II, the 115th Fighter Wing from Madison returns to Milwaukee. The unit's mission is to provide unmatched combat airpower and agile emergency response. Currently, the Wing has personnel and/or aircraft assigned to Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Jump Start—and it regularly serves with the Air Expeditionary Force in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Wisconsin Air National Guard – KC-135 Refueler — Milwaukee's favorite Hometown Air Force aerial performer, the 128th Air Refueling Wing, will return this weekend. The Wing's principal mission is air support to Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps aircraft as well as aircraft of allied nations.
Maryland Air National Guard – A-10 Warthogs — The 175th Fighter Wing makes its final A-10 Warthog appearance before transitioning to cyber unit. The A-10 has provided close air support since 1976 and is renowned for its durability and firepower.
U.S. Coast Guard – MH-60T Rescue Helicopter Demo — USCG Air Station Traverse City, another crowd favorite, returns with a search-and-rescue demonstration featuring the MH-60T Jayhawk. The twin-engine helicopter performs missions ranging from law enforcement to environmental protection.
Civilian performers
Re / Max Parachute Team — Re / Max Parachute Team is making its Milwaukee Air & Water Show debut this year. The four-member team performs in over 50 shows across the country every year.
PBY4-2G Privateer Maritime Patrol Aircraft — This fully-restored consolidated PB4Y-2G Privateer served as a versatile maritime patrol bomber during World War II and the Korean War. Produced in large numbers, it was known for roles ranging from anti-submarine warfare and long-range reconnaissance to search and rescue and weather reconnaissance. The U.S. Navy and Coast Guard operated the Privateer well into the 1950s, with the last Coast Guard examples retiring in 1960. The aircraft's distinctive features include a longer fuselage and a single vertical tail, enhancing its capabilities for extended patrol missions.
Mike Vaknin - Extra 300 — The Milwaukee Air & Water Show is also welcoming Mike Vaknin for the first time. Vaknin started his love for flight as a paratrooper at the age of 18. He's since moved into the cockpit and is an IAC Competitor and ICAS member.
Do I need tickets to attend the Milwaukee air show?
Nope! The Waterstone Bank Air & Water Show is free for the general public to attend from Bradford Beach and parts of McKinley Beach.
The show offers reserved seating, which ranges between $8.73 and $39.68, and offers reserved lakefront parking passes for $32.97. Some additional premium seating options are still available for purchase, like the Flight-Line Club on Sunday, which ranges between $16.99 and $69.10, and Sky Chalet VIP seating on Sunday, ranging between $48.46 - $172.34.
You can purchase tickets here.
Where are the reserved seating areas?
Reserved seating area entry gates are located along McKinley Park (Lincoln Memorial Drive) at Gate #3.
Where is the best place to watch the Milwaukee air show?
The best viewing spot for the air show will be near center point, which is located directly across from Villa Terrace, at McKinley Park. This area is reserved, so getting as close to the area as possible will give you the best angles to see the Blue Angels.
Best places to watch the Milwaukee air show for free
Bradford Beach, directly adjacent to McKinley Beach, is the place to be if you're not interested in purchasing tickets. Pack lunch and drinks into a cooler, grab some chairs and something to provide shade and head out early.
If you don't mind missing the water show, virtually any spot behind the sandy beaches will offer a great view of the air show. You'll have an easier time parking and leaving the show from behind the beaches, too, as traffic along North Lincoln Memorial Drive tends to stall.
Who are the 2025 Blue Angels pilots?
#1 | Cmdr. Adam Bryan | USN — Flight leader and commanding officer
#2 | Cmdr. Jack Keilty | USN — Right wing
#3 | Maj. Brandon Wilkins | USMC — Left wing
#4 | Lt. Cmdr. Wes Perkins | USN — Slot
#5 | Cmdr. Thomas Zimmerman | USN — Lead solo
#6 | Lt. Connor O'Donnell | USN — Opposing solo
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Blue Angels Milwaukee air show 2025: Everything to know Saturday
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