The finale of the Blues Over Biloxi air show takes place this afternoon, and tens of thousands of spectators are expected along the Biloxi waterfront again today to see a two-and-a-half hour aerial demonstration headlined by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.
Not as many beachgoers were positioned on the beach at 7 a.m. as they were Saturday, but Biloxi Police Chief John Miller said traffic was beginning to pick up along east beach at 10:30 a.m. The air show begins at 1 p.m.
About 85,000 people turned out for the show Saturday afternoon, and between 700 and 1,000 boats were off the Biloxi peninsula and south of Deer Island for the show.
“Things went very well,” Miller said. “People followed our advice and came early. They followed the signs, they parked where we wanted them to, and did exactly what we needed them to do.
“However, when everyone left, they pretty much left at the same time. That meant we had traffic issues for the better part of two hours. And then it was over. By and large, most were patient and understood.”
That’s the big advice today for those attending the air show: Be patient, especially after the show.
Keep in mind that a number of east Biloxi roads had relatively light traffic: Howard Avenue east of downtown, Oak Street and Division Street.
Regardless, Miller said, don’t be in a hurry.
“Take your time when you’re leaving the air show,” Miller said. “Don’t think you’re going to rush back to your vehicle and get back home. Know ahead of time that you may be looking at a good hour to hour and a half in slow-moving traffic. Don’t put yourself into a frenzy. Take your time and reflect on the air show.”
Photos from Harrah’s Great Lawn
Images captured by photographer August Taconi
Here’s the lineup for Blues Over Biloxi
Blues Over Biloxi is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. and end at 3:30, according to the latest schedule, issued by David Shultz Air Shows.
Here’s what you’ll see:
1 p.m.: Opening ceremony and National Anthem performed by Air Force Maj. Sarah Abel, a flight commander nurse at Keesler Medical Center.
1:04 p.m.: USAF F-16 Demo
1:19 p.m.: USAF Heritage Flight (F-16 and P-51)
1:29 p.m.: USAF KC-135 Flyby No. 1
1:31 p.m.: US Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry Flyby No. 1
1:34 p.m.: USAF KC-135 Flyby No. 2
1:36 p.m.: U.S. Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry Flyby No. 2
1:38 p.m.: Lee Leets Tucano Demo
1:53 p.m.: Warbird Flight (three passes) Stearmans, Waco, Varga, J3, CJ-6, RV-12, Chipmunk.
2:15 p.m.: USN Blue Angels
3:30 p.m.: Air show ends.
Air show on the air
WROA: Beginning at 12:45 p.m., WROA will have narration of the show. Tune in at AM 1390 or FM 100.1.
B-Alert: Text BILOXI to 888777 for text advisories and show updates.
