Blues over Biloxi

Forty-eight thousand people joined the Blue Angels as they made their first appearance over the Biloxi Beach waters on Saturday. They were joined by the F-16 Viper Demo Team and the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane. It’s the Blue Angels. Signs of pure joy flew across the faces of all those looking up to the sky. All ages came out to watch the airshow and some knew what to expect. Blue Angels fan Andrew Danos said,”I would expect to be spooked by the Blue Angels whenever they come behind us which is amazing and very loud.”

By land or by sea, people from all over came out this year to watch the Blues over Biloxi airshow. Navy Veteran Mike Rodriguez said, “The noise is what makes my heart go to pumping. I love the sound of those jet engines.”

Rodriguez came from Louisiana with his wife to watch the show and he says he will go anywhere to watch the Blue Angels fly. “You can’t beat it. It is something that you’ll remember it for a while. To see something that perfect, you don’t see that in everyday life.”

During his time in the Navy, Rodriguez worked on A4 Skyhawks which the Blue Angels use to fly as a team. For him, these shows are a chance to shine light on the military and what they bring to our country. “A lot of folks that have not been involved in the military like to know that we have something like this protecting us. These guys, this is just an airshow, but that’s the same planes and the same guys that are going to be out on the aircraft carriers watching after us. I think the patriotism runs deep.”

The precision of all the performers was jaw-dropping. These planes would whip and turn like you’ve never seen. They would get so close together you could hardly tell there was more than one plane in the sky.

Some viewers decided to watch from Harrah’s Great Lawn while others lined up along the beach front and even along Highway 90. Locals and those traveling in for the show made it a family affair. There were food vendors and plenty of activities to do while waiting for the show.

Blues over Biloxi was more than just about aircraft performing tricks in the sky; it was about patriotism and community. Blue Angels fan Jordan Barbay said, “I really don’t know how to describe it. It’s amazing how it brings the community together. It brings the community out here and we have a great community here on the Coast.”

Time flew by while the aircraft wings soared like the wings of freedom. As they lined up for their final pass, cheers roared through the crowds.