The Thunderbirds are a go for the 2024 WaterStone Bank Air & Water Show in Milwaukee.
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the star attraction for this year's show, haven't been part of the Milwaukee air show since 2019.
And now they're coming back to town for one of the busiest weekends of one of Milwaukee's busiest summers ever. In addition to the air show, Milwaukee's lakefront will play host to two days of big concerts for the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival, Milwaukee Beerfest, German Fest and two more concerts at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater.
All of that has been accounted for, said Paul Rogers, founder and president of the Milwaukee air show.
"There's been a coordinated effort between all events that started last year, with the County Parks as the quarterback, and basically all the events' organizers work to make it a success, so it's all been good," Rogers said.
Besides the event congestion, the biggest difference at the 2024 air show, he added, was the amount of demonstration teams that will be performing — one of them coming to Milwaukee for the first time.
Here's what you need to know about one of Milwaukee's most-attended events of the summer.
When is the 2024 WaterStone Bank Air & Water Show in Milwaukee?
The air and water show kicks off at 10 a.m. July 27 and 28.
Where is the Milwaukee Air & Water show being staged?
The event is staged above and in Lake Michigan off McKinley and Bradford beaches, north of downtown.
How much are tickets for the air show?
The show is free, but select and VIP seating is available closer to the action. Sky-Chalet VIP tickets, including a lunch buffet and more, are $45 (for youth tickets) to $165; they're already sold out for July 27. Other reserved seating tickets are available both days, from $7 to $65. See mkeairwatershow.com for details and availability.
What happens to the air show if the weather is bad?
While the air and water show is a rain-or-shine event, some of the acts might not perform if weather conditions affect safety or visibility. (In past years, fog has curtailed several acts' performances.)
Is there going to be a conflict with the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Celebration?
The Harley bash, which has events all around the city July 25-28, includes two days of huge concerts in Veterans Park July 26-27, with Jelly Roll headlining on the 26th and the Red Hot Chili Peppers topping the bill on the 27th. The Veterans Park doings — just to the south of McKinley Park, the staging area for the air show — start at 2 p.m. both days. That's about two hours before things wrap up at the air show. Rogers said event organizers have been in communication for a year to make things go smoothly at the lakefront.
Is there anything else going on along the lakefront the weekend of the Milwaukee air show?
A little bit.
For starters, Milwaukee Brewfest is sharing McKinley Park with the air show. It runs from 3 to 6:30 p.m. July 27.
Then there's German Fest, about a mile south of the air show at Maier Festival Park, July 26-28. And the American Family Insurance Amphitheater on the grounds is hosting two concerts: Carlos Santana and Counting Crows on July 26, and Alanis Morissette with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts on July 28.
What about parking for the air show?
According to the air show's website, reserved lakefront parking for the event, along Lincoln Memorial Drive in front of the show's VIP section, is available for July 28 only for $30 (July 27 spots are sold out) at the air show's website. There's also parking available in a number of downtown lots, including O'Donnell Park, and on streets near the lakefront. But a reminder to Saturday air show-goers: You're competing with people going to the Harley-Davidson bash for spots near the lakefront. This weekend, the Milwaukee County Parks Department will offer paid parking north of Bradford Beach at the Rugby Fields for $20 (cash only).
When are the Thunderbirds performing?
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds squadron will perform at 3 p.m. both days.
What other acts will be in the air show? When do they start?
The air show part of the program starts at noon both days with the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, which is returning to the Milwaukee air show for the first time in six years.
Coming to the Milwaukee air show for the first time will be the Frecce Tricolori (or "Tricolor Arrows"), the Italian Air Force's official aerobatic team. Look for the red, white and green smoke trailing behind their planes throughout the performance.
Other acts in the air show include:
- The U.S. Navy's F/A-18 Super Hornet Rhino Tactical Demo Team, "which we haven't had in a long time," Rogers said.
- The U.S. Air Force's C-17 Globemaster Demo Team.
- The Air Force's KC-46 Pegasus air-refueling tanker, making its first visit to Milwaukee.
- The Wisconsin Air National Guard's 115th Fighter Wing's Northrop Grumman F-35 Lightning II, and the 128th Air Refueling Wing's KC-135 Strato-Tanker.
- The U.S. Coast Guard's MH-60T Jayhawk's helicopter search-and-rescue demonstration.
- The Trojan Thunder team of T-28 Trojan vintage warplanes.
- The Re/Max Skydiving Team.
- Bob Richards and Machaira, his "muscle biplane."
"This is a pretty stunning lineup," Rogers said. "A lot of them haven't been here in a long time."
What acts will be in the water show?
Performers in the water show, which starts at 10 a.m. both days, include three Wisconsin governmental entries: The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' Triple Boat Patrol, the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department's Marine Patrol Enforcement Boat and the Milwaukee Fire Department's Trident Fire Boat.
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