The Golden Knights will open the airshow by performing their aerobatic skydiving. (Courtesy of the Golden Knights)
The inaugural “Thunder Over the Waves Airshow” in the Wildwoods will feature 11 headlining acts and is expected to draw more than 400,000 spectators, organizers announced Friday while giving a preview of the beachfront spectacle.
The airshow will open on Sept. 5 with a practice day in preparation for the main event on Sept. 6 running for four hours over the beaches in the Wildwoods.
The headliners will include military flyovers by the N.J. Air National Guard, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and Dover Air Force Base.
There will also be performances by the Fighter Jets Inc. MIG-17PF Jet Team, ACEMAKER Solo Aerobatic Demos in the T-33 Shooting Star and Jerry Conley in the DH-115 Vampire Jet, among other jets and propeller aircraft to thrill the crowds with their aerobatics.
The U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team will also be a part of the event, along with the U.S. Coast Guard.
The N.J. Air National Guard 177th Fighter Wing's F-16s will be among the airshow's military jets. (Courtesy of 177th Fighter Wing)This will be the airshow’s first year and it is expected to draw more than 400,000 spectators to the beachfront, according to the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority, the sponsor.
“The Wildwoods are home to many family-friendly events year-round and we’re proud to add a longtime South Jersey tradition to our calendar of events,” GWTIDA Executive Director Louis M. Belasco said in a news release.
The strong infrastructure in the Wildwoods and the large crowd capacity on the beaches make it an ideal backdrop for the airshow, according to the release.
The Wildwoods already regularly host large-scale events on the beach, such as the Barefoot Country Music Festival.
VIP spectator bleachers on the beach, similar to those used for the Wildwoods’ other large-scale outdoor events, will provide choice seating for the airshow. Additional exclusive VIP viewing areas at local hotels, piers and businesses will enhance the experience for spectators, GWTIDA said.
The Jersey Jerks four-plane team will entertain the crowds with their formation flying. (Courtesy of Jersey Jerks)GWTIDA is also in discussions regarding potential airshow events for 2026 and beyond, with plans to make the airshow an annual September event to extend the summer tourism season beyond the traditional Memorial Day to Labor Day timeframe.
Funding for the airshow will come from a combination of sources, including GWTIDA, the South Jersey Transportation Authority and corporate sponsorships. The airshow will be a free event for the public to attend.
The event will be hosted by David Schultz Airshows, a company with extensive experience in running major airshows nationally and internationally, including the Atlantic City Airshow.
“Hosting the airshow in the Wildwoods continues a shore tradition that has captivated families with dazzling entertainment,” said David Schultz, president of David Schultz Airshows. “We are thrilled that the Wildwoods have selected us to put on a first-class airshow that will be both exciting and entertaining for families.”
AIRSHOW ACTS:
Following is the schedule of current acts in the lineup for the airshow (subject to change):
11:50 a.m. Opening Ceremonies
12:00 p.m. National Anthem with Army Golden Knights Flag Jump
12:06 p.m. Army Golden Knights Mass Exit Show
12:14 p.m. Military Flyovers Window
12:24 Mark Meredith DHC-1 Chipmunk Aerobatics
12:34 p.m. Scott Francis MXS Aerobatics
12:49 p.m. Jerry Conley DH-115 Vampire Jet Aerobatics
1:04 p.m. USCG MH-65E Search & Rescue Demo
1:14 p.m. Jersey Jerks Four-Plane SNJ Formation Demonstration
1:24 p.m. Kevin Russo SNJ-6 Aerobatics
1:39 p.m. Patrick McAlee Pitts Aerobatics
1:54 p.m. Full Throttle Formation Team
2:10 p.m. Army Golden Knights Mass Exit Show
2:30 p.m. ACEMAKER T-33 Jet Aerobatics
2:45 p.m. P-5D Mustang Demonstration
2:58 p.m. Fighter Jets MiG-17 Jet Aerobatics
4:00 p.m. Airspace Re-opens, Airshow Ends
Aerobatic pilot Scott Francis, another act in the airshow, flies upside down for one of his stunts. (Courtesy of Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce)
