Wildwoods, NJ – The skies over the Jersey Shore will roar to life on Saturday, September 6 as the Thunder Over the Waves Airshow brings high-speed aerial stunts and military flyovers to thousands along the Wildwoods beachfront.
Produced by David Schultz Airshows, the event promises more than a dozen heart-pounding acts featuring jets, stunt planes, and elite parachute teams.
A practice day is scheduled for Friday, September 5, with the full airshow lineup taking off at 11:50 a.m. Saturday following opening ceremonies.
The U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team will perform two dramatic mass exit jumps, including the national anthem flag drop at noon. Among the headlining acts are MiG-17 and Vampire jet demonstrations, precision formations by the Full Throttle and Jersey Jerks teams, and daring solo aerobatics from pilots like Scott Francis and Patrick McAlee.
Military participation includes search and rescue demonstrations by the U.S. Coast Guard MH-65E helicopter and a military flyover window scheduled early in the program. The event is simulcast live on local station 98.7 The Coast (WCZT) and through the Wildwoods Boardwalk audio system for listeners who can’t make it to the beach.
The airshow concludes at 4 p.m. when airspace reopens. But the excitement continues downtown with the Wildwoods Food and Music Festival at Byrne Plaza from 2 to 8 p.m., featuring live bands, craft vendors, a beer garden, and a wide array of food options.
The airshow is free to the public thanks to support from the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority (GWTIDA) and more than two dozen local and regional sponsors. Premium VIP viewing options are also available for purchase, including shaded chalets, reserved beach seating, and front-row access at show center.
GWTIDA confirmed that this year’s expanded lineup and upgraded hospitality options aim to make the Thunder Over the Waves Airshow one of the region’s top tourism draws for the fall season.
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Key Points
- Thunder Over the Waves Airshow takes place September 6 with a practice day on September 5 in Wildwoods, NJ
- Over a dozen acts include military flyovers, jet aerobatics, parachute jumps, and stunt planes
- Free to the public, with VIP viewing and an after-show food and music festival downtown
