Ocean City, Maryland’s OC Air Show is one of the beach town’s most anticipated events each year, with many planning family vacations around viewing the show’s death-defying flight maneuvers. The Air Force Thunderbirds and the beloved Navy Blue Angels have been main attractions at past OC Air Shows, which typically runs in mid-June.
This year, the air show is shaking things up. Instead of the traditional June weekend, the show will be held Aug. 24-25, 2024. It’s part of a series of air shows up and down the East Coast known as The Air Dot Show Tour that also includes stops in Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, Fl., Augusta, Ga., New York and Atlanta.
The Ocean City tour stop will feature the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demo Team and, visiting the United States for the first time in 30 years, the Italian Air Force Frecce Tricolori demonstration squad.
The Frecce Tricolori, which translates to the Tricolor Arrows, will perform to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Giovanni da Verrazzano’s expedition to America in 1524. The 10 aircraft that perform simultaneously make them the world’s largest acrobatic patrol. Their flight display will last a full 30 minutes.
The F-22 Raptor flight squad will add excitement of its own to the show. Its twin engines produce more thrust than any other fighter jet, making it the fastest and most maneuverable fighter in the world. Pilots will show off the Raptor’s ability to climb straight up, stop in mid-air, and reverse towards the ground before flipping the nose around in a summersault.
The air show is visible up and down Ocean City’s 10 miles of beachfront. And the Air Dot Show Tour is offering a series of ticket packages for a reserved up-close view with extra amenities.
“Sand Boxes” are 10′ x 12′ private viewing areas with dedicated restrooms and food and drink stands. VIP Skyboxes offer reserved seating with an elevated panoramic view and a catered lunch with drinks. The Drop Zone beach has onsite bathrooms and food and drink stands, plus narration and music paired with the show. Finally, Flight Line Club VIP tickets feature beach tents, VIP parking and a private box for up to four people.
You can sign up to be notified when tickets go on sale at ocairshow.com/2024-air-dot-show/.
And if you miss the traditional OC Air Show, the Navy Blue Angels’ schedule reflects that they will be back in Ocean City in June 2025.
