Blue Angels to perform at North Georgia air show

In 2006, AJC reporter Steve Beatty dared to take a ride like no other. Steve flew with Navy Blue Angel pilot Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Davis over Dobbins Air Reserve Base.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s...the Blue Angels! America’s favorite flight demonstration squad is returning to Georgia, for the 2021 Wings Over North Georgia Air Show.

The air show takes place on Oct. 30-31 at Rome’s Russell Regional Airport and will feature a “hybrid drive-in” model.

“With the state of COVID last November (2020) when tickets went on sale for the 2021 show, remaining with the drive-in model was the best course,” show organizers posted to their website. This format allows guests to freely walk around to enjoy food and beverage vendors, exhibitors, military vehicle displays, helicopter rides and other fun attractions.

The show will feature performances by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, A-10 Thunderbolt II, U.S. Army Special Operations Command Black Daggers, and C-17 Globemaster III Demonstration Teams and the Georgia State Patrol SWAT Team. Preshow aerial displays will begin at 10 a.m. each day with opening ceremonies for the main shows starting at noon.

There are lots of ticketing options to choose from, but all tickets must be purchased online and in advance; there are no day-of-show ticket sales.

For non-locals, the show’s unique airport camping option has already sold out — be sure to plan ahead next year — but there are plenty of hotels to choose from if you want to stay in town.