Notes From The National Cherry Festival Airshow: Noise Warnings, Aircraft, And Local Stories

Whether you’re eager to catch a preview of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels before the big airshow at next weekend’s National Cherry Festival (NCF) or just want to schedule your mid-week work calls to avoid the noise, we’ve got the information you need. The Ticker contacted NCF representatives to obtain the complete Blue Angels schedule for the week, along with some additional insights about this year’s airshow. Here’s what we found out.

Blue Angels #7, the first of the Blue Angels, lands in Traverse City on Tuesday, June 25 at 10:30 a.m.
>Blue Angels #7 conducts “intermittent familiarization flights” in nearby airspace from 1-4 p.m.

Wednesday, June 26 >4:30pm: Traverse City welcomes “Fat Albert,” the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules nicknamed for transporting vital maintenance and support equipment from one Blue Angels show location to another.
>5:10 p.m.: Members #1–#6 of the Blue Angels team land in TC.

Thursday, June 27 from 9 to 11 a.m. is “circle and arrival” practice day. There will be two distinct morning sessions to be aware of. Blue Angels #1, #2, #3, and #4 will take to the air first, flying from 9 to 10 a.m. Then, from 10 to 11 am, Blue Angels #5 and #6 will perform their maneuvers.
>3:00–4:30p.m.: The entire team assembles for an additional arrival and circle exercise.

The Blue Angels perform a complete airshow practice on Friday, June 28 from 1-4 p.m.; this serves as their “dress rehearsal” for the actual show on Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday, June 29 from 1-4 p.m., the NCF airshow begins with the Blue Angels and other aircraft taking to the skies.

On Sunday, June 30 from 1-4 p.m., the airshow’s second day gives locals another opportunity to witness the spectacle.
>6:10pm: Fat Abert leaves Traverse City. >5:55pm: All seven Blue Angels leave Traverse City.

The NCF marketing and communications manager, Mandy De Puy, emphasizes that although this timetable should hold throughout the week, it is “very flexible” and subject to change at any time, particularly “in case of inclement weather, fuelling, or mechanical concerns.”

NCF has sent a press release alerting the public to this schedule and providing a general warning regarding airshow noise since The Ticker’s original inquiry early last week.

According to the press release, “The National Cherry Festival Airshow is devoted to assuring the safety and enjoyment of all spectators.” “The low-flying jets and other aircraft will create noise during the airshow.” It is recommended that both locals and guests take the appropriate safety measures for dogs, small children, and others who are easily startled. Every participant is advised to wear ear protection, which is provided at the event site.

The Other Wing

According to Airshow Director Christian Smith, this year’s airshow will include a wide range of additional aircraft in addition to the Blue Angels, as well as a number of interesting anecdotes. On that list are:

>A lineup of airshow helicopters, comprising the Michigan Army National Guard’s UH72 Lakota, UH60 Black Hawk, and CH-47 Chinook; an MH-65 Dolphin from