Blue skies forecast for weekend Quonset Air Show

Tim Forsberg
Posted 5/28/15

The 23rd anniversary of the Rhode Island National Guard Open House and Air Show, featuring some of the finest aerial and aircraft displays in the state, is set to take off this weekend. Tens of …

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Blue skies forecast for weekend Quonset Air Show

Posted

The 23rd anniversary of the Rhode Island National Guard Open House and Air Show, featuring some of the finest aerial and aircraft displays in the state, is set to take off this weekend.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to converge on Quonset State Airport Saturday and Sunday, May 30 and 31 to see performances such as an F-16 fighter jet demonstration, the USAF Heritage Flight, a Shockwave Jet Truck, and a show by the world famous USN Blue Angels.
And according to forecasts earlier this week it should be a beautiful weekend for watching planes with temperatures in the 70s and 80s with a slight chance of a thunderstorm Sunday afternoon.
Established as a community event open to the public in 1991, the show features the best pilots and aircraft from the past and present. Since then, the Air Show has raised more than $2 million for local charities. While a $10 completely voluntary donation is collected at the entrance gate to support the Hasbro Children’s Hospital, there is no charge for admission or parking.
Transforming the fully operating civilian and military airport into a safe air show venue, the National Guard has taken extraordinary steps to ensure the event is one the community will remember.
Here are some details to help navigate through the day:
l Parking is available on a first come, first served basis, with RV parking also available but very limited. A shuttle service to and from the outside parking lots will be available all day. Patrons may leave and return to the show at their leisure.
l The gates at Quonset will open for guests at 9 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday, with the show beginning at 10 and ending at roughly 4:30 p.m. Bleacher seating or other seating arrangements are not provided, so visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, camp chairs, and blankets to sit on. Umbrellas are also permitted for shade.
l Baby strollers, diaper bags, and working dogs to assist disabled individuals are welcome, but pets are requested to stay home. Cameras, video recorders and cell phones may all be used on site.
l It is highly recommended that sunscreen be worn as the venue is mainly open to the skies. Staying hydrated is also a must. While vendors and concessions will be available, food and water in clear plastic bottles (all other liquids are prohibited) may be brought in from the outside. However, they may not be carried in coolers, which are not permitted.
l If assistance is needed, police, fire, and medical help will be available throughout the weekend. Attendees, however, should be aware that anything brought onto the premises is subject to search for security purposes.
Should it rain before or during the show, some flying demonstrations may be delayed or postponed. Unless the weather poses a serious threat to visitor safety, the show will proceed as scheduled with some modifications.
One of the event’s most popular attractions, the USN Blue Angels, will perform on both days, weather permitting. For a full schedule of the weekend’s activities, visit www.riairshow.org/schedule.

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