Blue Angels Return To MD Skies: Schedule, Best Views For Sail250 Airshow

MARYLAND — The Blue Angels will be taking to the skies in the Old Line State two more times, thanks to the Sail250 events being held this weekend in Baltimore.

Presented by defense giant Northrop Grumman, the Sail250 festivities make up the dozens of official events being held to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. founding.

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In Maryland, big events run through June 29, as some ships begin to depart shortly thereafter from the region. All visiting vessels are expected to clear the areas along the Inner Harbor, Fells Point, and Baltimore Peninsula by Wednesday.

Until the event wraps up, residents attending the free festivities can either tour one of the dozens of ships, participate in living classrooms, parade, farmer's market, festivals and, of course, catch the Blue Angels flight demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday.

Weekend Sail250 Schedule

Executive decisions may need to be made by residents as several events overlap one another and are spread throughout the immediate Baltimore area and surrounding communities.

On Saturday, the day's events kick off with the Fells Point Farmer's Market from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Both the Inner Harbor and the Baltimore Peninsula Sail250 festivals start at 11 a.m. and end at 8 p.m. and 6 p.m., respectively.

A crab soup cook-off is booked at the Inner Harbor Festival between 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.

The Fells Point festival runs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and ship visitations get underway from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Now, if you're on the hunt for the Blue Angels, the flight demonstration takes over the airspace from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the weekend, similar to Thursday and Friday's flight familiarization and practice sessions.

Each of the festivals take on adjusted schedules come Sunday:

• Inner Harbor: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Fells Point: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Baltimore Peninsula: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

See a full breakdown of the schedule online.

Airshow Must-Knows

In addition to the Blue Angels, the Sail250 Baltimore Airshow will feature the F-16 Viper demonstration team, the British Royal Air Force's Red Arrows, and the French Air and Space Patrouille de France Force.

Boundary restrictions are in place through the weekend as the airshow gets underway.

Designated areas for spectators viewing the show by land and boat are mapped out in the graphic below.

Some of the best viewing areas to watch the show include the Baltimore Peninsula, Canon Waterfront Park, Patterson Park and Fort McHenry, according to organizers.

For those who won't be viewing the airshow from their own boats, services are being provided through Watermark Tours and the Baltimore Water Taxi. However, consider yourself warned: tickets are limited.

Residents viewing the show from land should keep public transportation in mind, as road closures will be in effect. Additionally, some viewing areas won't have available public parking, like at Fort McHenry.

Road Closures To Keep In Mind

Baltimore City officials announced the following road closures ahead of the Sail250 event:

• Cromwell Street closed between House Street and Terrapin Way and Rye and Distillery Streets until Sunday at 8 p.m.
• Tidewater Street (Circle) closed south of E. Cromwell Street until Sunday at 8 p.m.
• Fort Avenue closed at Andre Street (access maintained for local traffic only) Friday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m daily. Only credentialed vehicles may travel east of the railroad bridge.
• East Coast Greenway closed at West Shore Park from Lee to Barre Streets (bike lane to remain open) through Tuesday at 4 p.m.

If you're looking to avoid dealing with road closure and parking stresses altogether, Baltimore City has released a detailed breakdown of available public transportation.