Early weather forecasts predict two sunny and clear days this weekend for a pair of free air shows in Ocean City.
Stunt pilots will perform a two-hour over the beach and Boardwalk on Sunday, Sept. 18.
The display can be seen best anywhere along the oceanfront between Fifth and 14th streets from 1 to 3 p.m on Sunday.
The show will feature 12 acts, including single planes and groups flying in formation. Featured performances include: aerobatics world champion Rob Holland; Jane Wicker, a daredevil wing-walker who has appeared in several movies; and the Iron Eagle Aerobatic Team.
Also featured will be: Bill Gordon flying an Aurora 450 Stearman; Jim Beasley in a Spitfire Mk. XVIII; the Fire Birds Aerobatic Team; Randy Devere piloting CJ-6 Aerobatics; the NE Raiders Formation Team; stunt pilots Kevin Russo, Kendall Simpson and Jack Knutson and a Vintage T-6/SNJ Flight.
The 26th annual is set for 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat., Sept. 17 at the Ocean City Municipal Airport, 26th Street and Bay Avenue.
The airport’s grounds will be packed with unusual airplanes on display. There will be an awards ceremony at 2 p.m. for the most outstanding aircraft.
One highlight of the ground display will be a rare Mitchell World War II B-25 bomber that gained fame for its flexibility and durability during the war. It was brought to national attention in April 1942 when General James "Jimmy" Doolittle led 15 B-25s from the aircraft carrier Hornet in the first U.S. attack on mainland Japan.
The B-25 will take off from the airport at the conclusion of the festival at 3 p.m. It was made available to Ocean City by the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum.
Among the many other features of the event will be a kite display by of Ocean City from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the airport’s runway. Various stunt kites will dance in the air assisted by Doug Jewell and his team of kite enthusiasts.
At 12:30 p.m., the N.J. Pine Barrens RC Club will present a model airplane display. Some of the miniature jets will attain speeds faster than 100 miles per hour, while performing maneuvers.
The event will be child-friendly with a paper-airplane-making and flying contest at 11 a.m. There will be categories for children from 4 to 12. First-place winners will receive a free ride on a real airplane, the Red Baron.
A paper-clip sculpting contest will be held during the day. Air Circus also will provide a yo-yo demonstration and a bubble display. There will be free face-painters.
The Ocean City rock band 1-2-3 Draw will perform, and there is a mini playground at the entrance to the airport.
Antique autos will be on display and participate in a runway parade at 11:20 a.m. Helicopter and airplane rides will be available for a fee, and refreshments will be available.
For information, call the Ocean City Public Relations Office at 609-525-9300. On nights and weekends, call 609-364-4010.
