This weekend all contrails lead to Rome’s Russell Regional Airport as it hosts the 2017 Wings Over North Georgia airshow and general aviation “fly-in.” This year’s show features the U.S. Navy’s aerial demonstration team, the Blue Angels.
The two-day event, held Saturday and Sunday, is set to attract over 60,000 visitors.
The gates open each day at
9 a.m. On Saturday the opening ceremonies will take place at
11:15 a.m. with the colors being presented by a para-commando from the U.S. Southern Command.
Both days the show itself will begin at noon with performances by several warbirds from the World War II era – a P-51D Mustang and a F4U Corsair. A demonstration by the Sky Soldiers Cobra Team will depict how the helicopter was used in Vietnam.
Also set to perform aerial acrobatics are Buck Roetman of Wild Horse Aviation and Bob Carlton and Vertigo Airshows. The TigerFlight Foundation Demo Team will also amaze with their acrobatic skills.
Wild Blue Rodeo is a little homebuilt RV-8A aircraft that wants to grow up to be a fighter jet and has a maximum speed of over 299 miles per hour.
The headliner Blue Angels have a mission to showcase the pride and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps by inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country through flight demonstrations and community outreach. Flying the FA-18 the team exhibits choregraphed refinements of skills possessed by all naval aviators.
Also appearing are the Aeroshell Demonstration Team, the Air Force’s C-17 Globemaster demo team, the Smoke-n-Thunder Jet Car and Truck Shows and USSOCOM Para-Commandos.
Vocal performances will be heard throughout both days by the Ladies for Liberty.
Admission at the gate is $25 with a military discounted price of $20. Children 6-17 are $20.
Remote parking with transportation to the airport is located at Armuchee high School, North Floyd Park-Community center, Northside Church and at the Rome Braves Mutual Stadium. The airport is located at 304 Russell Field Road NE in Rome.