VIDEO: Jet Performers Arrive for Weekend Joint Base Air Show

With thunderous roars, air performers for this weekend's Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Open House and Air Show arrived at the installation's Wrightstown location Thursday afternoon.

Six U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds circled the base as they gained familiarity with its design in preparation for their upcoming sky displays. Members of the U.S. Army's Golden Knights, a parachute team, also arrived at the installation to ready themselves.

Base officials expect that more than 300,000 people are expected to attend the weekend event -- the base's first since becoming a joint installation in 2009, according to a news release. The open house is free to the public and gates open at 8 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Performances are expected to begin at about 11 a.m. each day. 

"We know guests visiting the Open House and Air Show are going to be wowed by the displays and aerial acts," said Monty Dunn, service director for the 2012 Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Open House and Air Show, in a statement.

Thirteen aerial performers are scheduled to perform and forty historic and current aircraft will be on display, according to the base. 

Vendors will have memorabilia, T-shirts and other items for sale. Directions to the base and more information on programs are available online. Questions can be directed to the public affairs office at 732-754-2104.

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is the second largest employer in New Jersey and contributes more than $3 million to the economy, according to its Office of Public Affairs.