Blues Over Biloxi: A complete guide to the coast's best air show
BILOXI, MS (WLOX) - Dazzling and daring aerobatic displays will be taking place over the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast all weekend. It's Blues Over Biloxi, the most exciting air show the Gulf Coast has seen in three years, and it's happening right over the waters of the Mississippi Sound in Biloxi.
Hosted by Harrah's Casino, The Blind Tiger and the City of Biloxi, this two-day event is happening July 21 and July 22 and will feature jaw-dropping feats from the U.S. Navy's legendary Blue Angels teams, as well as many others.
The skies will be filled with some of the biggest names in the air show industry including the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Team, the famous AeroShell Aerobatic Team as well as an assortment of other exciting performances by world-renowned aerobatic pilots. Add to that exciting flybys by a variety of military hardware and you have the recipe for a weekend filled with fun for all ages.
In the past, the event has been held at Keesler Air Force Base, but this year, in order to give the show, added features like Coast Guard water rescues, and the ability for spectators to stretch out in their own lawn chairs, the show was moved to the coastline centered at Harrah's Casino.
The Great Lawn in front of Harrah's will provide the best view of the show, even though spectators will still have breathtaking views for over two miles of waterfront shoreline.
Whether you're planning on watching from the coastline or from home, we've got all the details you need to know!
Schedule
The gates will open at 9 a.m. on both days of the show. The air show will begin at 1 p.m. and last until 3:10 p.m. On Saturday, WLOX will have live coverage of the air show beginning at 1 p.m. on WLOX-CBS.
Opening ceremonies and the national anthem will begin at 1 p.m. on both days. Then the following air demonstrations will begin:
- USAF F-16 Viper East Demo
- USAF Heritage Flight (F-16 & P51)
- USAF KC-135 Flyby
- US Army UH-60 Flyby
- Lee Leets Tucano Demo
- USCG MH-65D Search & Rescue Demo
- USCG Flybys
- Aeroshell Aerobatic Team (Sat only)
- USAF Re-enlistment/Recognition Ceremony
- USMC Blue Angels C-130T
- USN Blue Angels
- USAF F-16 Viper East Demo
- USAF Heritage Flight (F-16 & P-51)
- USAF KC-135 Flyby
- US Army UH-60 Flyby
- Lee Leets Tucano Demo
- USCG MH-65D Search & Rescue Demo
- USCG Flybys
- USMC Blue Angels C-130T
- USN Blue Angels
Watching the Show
There will be a variety of viewing options for spectators, including the Great Lawn area in front of Harrah's as well as up and down the coast on the beach itself. However, you should be able to see the show from any beachfront location within a two-mile radius.
For anyone watching the show from the water, boats will be limited in the airshow area, south of Harrah's and on portions of Deer Island. An area known as the "show box," which is center stage for the air show, will be marked as off limits beginning on Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12:30 to 5 p.m. to notify boaters and marine traffic of the perimeters.
See below for a detailed map of marine traffic for the airshow
You can also watch the show live from the comfort of your home or anywhere else. WLOX will broadcast the entire air show live on Saturday from 1-4 p.m. You can watch it live on WLOX-CBS, on the WLOX Facebook page, the WLOX News app, or on the WLOX Firestick and Roku apps.
Price
There is no admission fee unless you want to sit in a premier viewing spot. The public hospitality chalet is right at the show's center. It costs $30 per adult and $10 per child. Free ice and water will be provided. Tickets can only be purchased on the day of the air show at the chalet's entrance.
Parking
There will be no designated parking specifically for the event. However, visitors can park in any public parking spot. City officials ask that no one park on sidewalks, medians, or private property, which includes businesses. For those parking on the north side of Highway 90, officers will be available helping people cross the street.
See below for more tips on parking, traffic, and more
Traffic
Biloxi's special event traffic plan will be in place during the event, and the cones will be out. On Hwy. 90 from Oak Street to the Biloxi Bay Bridge the two southernmost lanes will be limited to emergency vehicles only, leaving two eastbound lanes open for traffic and all the westbound lanes will remain open.
On the water, boat traffic will also be limited in the area around Deer Island.
Food and Shopping
More than 20 gourmet food trucks from all across the region will be at the air show. Hailing from Florida to Louisiana up to Tennessee, the trucks will offer upscale food for the first time ever at Biloxi's air show. There will also be concession-style snacks from other vendors available. Tables will be set up for people to eat at. More than a dozen retail vendors will also be out selling everything from t-shirts to rocking chairs. The event is free but anything from vendors will cost money.
Other FAQ's
- Coolers are not allowed into the Great Lawn viewing area.
- No outside food is allowed within the gates.
- Dogs are allowed but they must be on a leash and owners must pick up after them.
- Beer will be available for sale by Harrah's, who will provide a large beer tent for anyone 21 and older with a valid ID.
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