Fun, excitement fly high at AC Air Show
ATLANTIC CITY (WPVI) -- Hump day brought sunshine and blue skies, the perfect set up for this year's Atlantic City Air Show.
During its 13-year run, the annual event has grown to become one of the largest of its kind.
"Last year's estimate was 800,000," said Joe Kelly of the Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce.
This year proved to be no different as people lined the beaches from Brigantine to Ocean City Wednesday to see crowd favorites like the U.S. Navy Blue Angels take to the sky for the big show.
"The beach, I think the venue is what makes it so unique. It's a free event. It's a family event. It's something really nice about being able to lay a blanket out and see a world- class airshow," Kelly said.
This year marked the Blue Angels first appearance in the show since 2006. Making a guest appearance among military and civilian aircraft was 6abc's own Chopper 6 HD.
The best place to watch the air show? Locals say right in front of the ocean.
"It cools you off because it's so hot," said Jasmine Mungo of Cinnaminson referring to the heat. Temperatures soared into the 90s Wednesday, but that didn't stop the show.
Joseph Iamanna of Bayville, the father of a Raptors and Blue Angels fan, said the weather and show's timing couldn't have been better, scheduled the week before the start of a new school year.
"Beautiful weather, summer, they're not back to school 'til next week so the timing was right," said Iamanna.
Iamanna's little one wasn't the only fan of the Raptors and Blue Angels. The popular acts in this year's line-up were also favorites of Robin Yslifer of Allentown.
"I just love the vintage planes, and I love the blue Angels. ... The Raptor's here this year, which they had grounded, and they brought it back," said Yslifer.
With a recent air show tragedy that rendered the Golden Knights unable to perform in this year's event, Kelly said most spectators realize safety is key.
"I think most people understand, and safety is always first for this show and in the air show business," Kelly said.
