Naval Academy Graduation Airshow

[CarsonNash]

*this has no relation to kayak fishing*

On Wednesday, May 22nd at 2:00pm the Blue Angels will be doing an airshow over the Severn River and downtown Annapolis. This is a great event that entertains hundreds and hundreds of people every year. In my opinion, not much is more thrilling then a F/A-18 flying over your head with full afterburners. Aviation is my 2nd hobby so it makes it that much more entertaining.

First off, I recommend not to fish Wednesday after 11:00. Every year there are roughly 200 boats between the 50 and 450 bridge getting the party started around 11. I will be among them, just not on a kayak. The boat traffic is insane and not pleasant for a paddler.

Second, if anyone is new to the area and has never been, please find a way to go. And even if you have lived here all your life, this is still worth attending. I go every year and it never disappoints. This is one of few times the BA are flying around here. If you have a friend/family with a boat, that is the best way to experience the show. I know a couple people on here have boats so this is mostly aimed at them. There are also places downtown to watch from the waterfront.

They fly rain or shine, but rain is no fun to spectate in. So weather permitting this should be a great event to see.

[Mark]

Carson,

I'd like to second your message to the forum.

The Blue Angels air show is a stunningly exciting event.

In fact, much of the Severn will be off-limits to boaters as the DNR police will clear the areas near the academy hours prior to the show.

However you can still find plenty of places on the water to view the show. A few years ago I sat in my kayak between Greenbury Point and Mill Creek and saw these sights:

B.jpg C.jpg D.jpg E.jpg F.jpg G.jpg

Now, what the photos do not show is the incredible sound of the jets as they ignite their afterburners. You alluded to that. One did that maneuver directly over my head as it headed straight up over the radio towers. It went so fast I could not get my camera positioned in time for a photo. Further, the sound of the afterburners is hard to describe in words other than to say you actually feel it reverberating through your body. The other thing the photos do not show is speed. I watched two jets depart the Severn and circle over the Bay Bridge and return in a matter of seconds. Lastly, their precision is a thing of beauty. You can see that somewhat in the photos. But understand that they are wingtip to wingtip at amazing speeds.

If you can make it to Annapolis that day, by all means do so.

Thank you for the reminder, Carson.

[J.A. Veil]

Weather permitting, the Blue Angels perform two days in a row -- on May 21 for their practice runs, and on May 22 for the scheduled show. Both are spectacular -- boat traffic is lower on the practice day. I found this information on the Internet concerning times and dates.

BLUE ANGELS
Each of the week's events has something special to offer guests, but there is one that is not to be missed when visiting Annapolis during Commissioning Week: The Blue Angels. Crowds gather on the banks of the Severn River on the USNA campus to witness the amazing aerial performance of the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squad. The Blue Angels' flyovers can be seen:
Tuesday, over the Severn River at 11:00 am - 1:00 pm for circle and arrival, and at 1:45 pm - 4:00 pm for a flight rehearsal.
Wednesday, over the Severn River at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm for a flight demonstration.
Friday, above the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium for the time-honored graduation flyover.

On several past years, I have launched at Tucker St ramp in Weems Creek and fished for an hour or so in the creek before the show starts. White perch should have arrived by then. Then I paddle out to the mouth of Weems and anchor the kayak there. That is a great vantage point for the show. The main Severn is loaded with boats, but the creek is pretty open. If necessary, I can move onto the shoal at the northern point of the mouth of Weems where no boats can go. If the weather cooperates to allow the practice day and the show, I will be out there on at least one of the days.

[BarefootPetr]

I had a lot of fun last year fishing and watching the show on Spa Creek. Lots of people, but still plenty of room to fish. The bikini girls on the boats weren't a bad sight either...

[CarsonNash]

John, you are correct. I forgot about the practice!

Mark, those are great pictures! Much better then I have ever been able to pull off. Although I do not understand one thing you said. What do you mean by DNR shutting down the Severn? I normally anchor right past the 50 bridge along with many others. What gets shut down?

[Mark]

Carson,

As I recall, you cannot be between the USNA Bridge and Route 50 Bridge during the show. Hence no launching from Jonas Green.

The restricted areas will be posted soon.

This 2018 Capital Gazette story mentions the Severn River boating restrictions used at last year's show:

https://www.capitalgazette.com/news/...522-story.html

[CarsonNash]

Interesting. I may need to look into that. I was not on the boat last year due to mechanical issues. But two years ago I was between the bridges, off of the channel. Maybe I’ll run out to the point where you were if I can get through. Time will tell.

[J.A. Veil]

The upstream end of the prohibited zone starts somewhere between Weems Creek and the Rt 450 bridge. DNR and the Coast Guard keep boats out of that area.

[CarsonNash]

The upstream end of the prohibited zone starts somewhere between Weems Creek and the Rt 450 bridge. DNR and the Coast Guard keep boats out of that area.

Ok. So that would mean I was right before the line last time. Thanks, John.


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[JAR]

You can also see the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds this weekend at Andrews Airforce Base.

https://legendsinflight.org