Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Spots

July 9, 2023

Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties this week as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.

Escambia County:

  • Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The I-10 Welcome Center located on I-10 eastbound, (mile marker four) will be closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, July 11 through Thursday, July 13. In addition, the outside lane of I-10 eastbound near the Welcome Center and the on- and off-ramps to the Welcome Center will be closed. Drivers may use the I-10 eastbound rest area at mile marker 29 during these times. The Welcome Center, along with the front and middle parking lots, will remain open daily from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m., but the truck parking area will remain closed until work concludes at the Welcome Center this summer.
  • East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) Roadway Improvements from Chemstrand Road to East of Baldridge Drive – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on East Nine Mile Road, between Chemstrand Road and Baldridge Drive, Sunday, July 9 through Thursday, July 13 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews mill and pave the roadway. In addition, the bicycle lanes are temporarily closed to allow crews to widen the turn lanes and construct new five-foot bicycle lanes and the speed limit has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete later this summer.
  • Lillian Highway (State Road (S.R. 298) Resurfacing from North of U.S. 98 to East of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – Drivers will encounter daytime shoulder and lane closures on Lillian Highway, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Sunday, July 9 through Thursday, July 13 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. as crews continue drainage improvements, final grading and sodding work.
  • Navy Boulevard (S.R. 295) Resurfacing from North of the Bayou Grande Bridge to Gulf Beach Highway/Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) Drivers may encounter alternating daytime lane closures on Navy Boulevard, from Barrancas Avenue to the Bayou Grande Bridge, Friday, July 7 through Friday, July 14 as crews perform final work list items.
  • U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Northbound and southbound traffic on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) is shifted to one outside travel lane in each direction between Hatties Boulevard and East Cottage Street. The shift will be in place through August as crews perform drainage improvements. Signage will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
  • Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road - Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures, between Theo Baars Bridge and Bauer Road, Sunday, July 9 through Thursday, July 13 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews place friction course on the roadway.
  • County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge - Work will begin Monday, July 10 on a $3.5 million project to replace the C.R. 4 bridge over Canoe Creek, between the Byrneville and Bratt communities. Crews will make drainage improvements and reconstruct the roadway approaching the bridge. This will include milling and resurfacing the pavement, widening travel lanes, and placing new signage and pavement markings. During construction, a four-mile segment of C.R. 4 will be temporarily closed just west of the Town of Century. Drivers will be directed through a 5.6-mile detour using Bratt Road to Pine Barren Road, then back to C.R. 4. The project is estimated for completion in fall 2024.
  • North Palafox Street (U.S. 29/State Road (S.R.) 95), from Cervantes Street (S.R. 10A) to Brent Lane (S.R. 296) – Work will begin Monday, July 10 on a $9 million project to mill and resurface North Palafox Street from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane. The project will also include upgrading traffic signals, curb and gutter, pavement markings, and sidewalks, reconstructing the North Palafox Street/North Pace Boulevard/Massachusetts Avenue intersection and safety improvements between Cervantes Street and West Scott Street. During construction, drivers may encounter lane closures and lane shifts between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. daily.
  • U.S. 90 Routine Underground Utility Maintenance at North G Street Intersection – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, July 10 through Friday, July 21 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine maintenance.
  • U.S. 90 Routine Underground Utility Maintenance at North Reus Street Intersection – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, July 10 through Friday, July 21 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine maintenance.
  • U.S. 90 Routine Underground Utility Maintenance at West Garden Street Intersection – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, July 10 through Friday, July 21 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine maintenance.

Santa Rosa County:

  • U.S. 98 (S.R. 30/Gulf Breeze Parkway/Navarre Parkway) Resurfacing of select areas from Abercrombie Road to Calle De Palencia Street - Drivers on U.S. 98 (Navarre Parkway), between S.R. 87 and Calle De Palencia Street, may encounter intermittent nightly lane closures from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform construction activities.
  • U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
    • Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
    • Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road Sunday, July 9, through Friday, July 14, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
  • I-10 Resurfacing from S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists will encounter nighttime east and westbound lane closures Monday, July 10 and Thursday, July 13 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for paving operations.
  • I-10 Routine Bridge Maintenance on Blackwater Bridge – Motorists will encounter intermittent westbound lane closures near Exit 28, Sunday, July 9 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.

All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

Wahoos Fall Short To Shuckers In Saturday Slugfest

July 9, 2023

There haven’t been many Fireworks Saturdays at Blue Wahoos Stadium that resembled the latest one.

Except for the Blue Wahoos just missing on producing a grand finale.

In a game that featured 19 runs, 26 hits, 13 walks, 385 pitches and took 3 hours, 29 minutes to complete, the Biloxi Shuckers held on in the ninth inning for a 10-9 victory, which temporarily silenced a sellout crowd of 5,038 at the bayfront ballpark.

Until the actual fireworks, of course.

But the Blue Wahoos’ Norel González nearly created his own flare, launching a pitch to the base of the left field wall in the ninth inning after Griffin Conine reached on a walk. With two out, Dalvy Rosario singled to continue home team hopes.

Shuckers reliever Cam Robinson recorded his fifth save by striking out Cobie Fletcher-Vance to end the game.

The Blue Wahoos were a ground ball away from entering their at-bat with a tied game. Fletcher-Vance’s two-out throw on a slow chopper sailed wide, enabling Biloxi’s Carlos Rodriguez to reach and advance to second base.

The next batter, catcher Nick Kahle, jumped on the first pitch from Jefry Yan and sent it into right field for a run-scoring double. It became a hard-luck loss for Yan, who struck out three batters in two innings pitched.

Hours earlier, the game began as a batters’ fest.

There were 17 runs scored between the teams in the first three and a half innings, before pitching took over.

The game’s halfway point resembled baseball pinball with 16 hits between the teams and batters reaching and scoring in every half inning.

The Shuckers had already clubbed four home runs, including two bombs by Isaac Collins, their leadoff batter, who had hit just one homer this season.

In the first three innings, the Blue Wahoos answered each Biloxi lead. After Collins led off the game with a home run, Troy Johnston doubled home Jose Devers after his leadoff walk. Johnston then scored on a fielder’s choice and Victor Mesa Jr. advanced on an error, then scored on a wild pitch.

This was one of those nights which, fortunately for the Blue Wahoos, haven’t been frequent with their pitching staff.

Starter Jonathan Bermudez had his roughest outing this season. The lefthander was unable to get his fastball in desired locations and the Shuckers took full advantage.

They blasted seven extra-base hits off him, including the four home runs. He yielded nine runs on nine hits, along with three walks and a balk.

The Blue Wahoos had a four-run third inning that included a two-run homer by Mesa Jr. and a run scoring double by González.

Rosario finished 3-for-5 to lead Pensacola hitters. Troy Johnston was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and and RBI.

But it still became an uplifting night.

The Blue Wahoos’ Nasim Nuñez was the MVP of the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game in Seattle, leading the National League stars to a 5-0 win with his 3-run double. Pitcher Patrick Monteverde pitched the final inning, getting a game-ending double play.

In the Blue Wahoos game, the team hosted a “Home Run For Life” with 13-year-old Coady Lee circling the bases to celebrate his fight against leukemia. As he rounded the bases, both teams lined the two foul lines and Biloxi manager Mike Guerrero provided the final, classy touch as he tapped Coady before touching home plate.

The Blue Wahoos will try and gain a split of this week’s series in Sunday’s final game.

The Blue Wahoos’ Evan Fitterer (4-3, 4.34) will make a second start on the mound this week for the first time this season. The Shuckers will start James Meeker (4-3, 2.58) in the final game of the homestand and last one before a four-day break in the minor and major leagues that coincides with the Major League Baseball All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle.

by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos

DeSantis Awards $35.8 Million For Fiber Broadband In Parts Of North Escambia, Santa Rosa County

July 8, 2023

Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced $35.8 million to expand broadband fiber internet access in portions of North Escambia and in northern Santa Rosa County.

In Escambia County, $1,444,738.50 was awarded for a Cox Communications project in portions of Molino, Cottage Hill, Quintette and Cantonment to add 20 miles of fiber optic cable to provide 78 unserved locations with symmetrical download and upload speeds of 1GB.

In Santa Rosa County, $9,648,409.48 was awarded to Escambia River Electric Cooperatives partner Conexon Connect to add 756.1 miles of fiber optic cable to provide 217 unserved locations with symmetrical download and upload speeds of 1GB to serve portions of the Town of Jay and the unincorporated areas of Allentown, Dixonville, Munson, Pine Level, Springhill and Whitfield.

Also in Santa Rosa County, $24,752,619.75 was awarded to Cox Communications to serve portions of the Town of Jay, Allentown, Dixonville, Munson, Pine Level, Springhill, Bagdad Whitfield, Dickerson, Avalon, Mulat, East Milton, Roeville and Harold.

“I could not be happier and more excited for my friends and neighbors in the greater Cottage Hill and Quintette communities who will be so positively impacted by this project,” Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said. “I want to thank Governor Ron DeSantis, Senator Doug Broxson, Representative Michelle Salzman and Representative Alex Andrade for their continued support of broadband expansion in Escambia County. Also, I want to thank Cox Communications for their continued support of ensuring access to high speed internet in Escambia County and more specifically in District 5.”

“High-speed broadband Internet is important infrastructure for Florida communities and will generate economic development activity and a talented labor force,” said DeSantis. “Florida is proud to make investments in broadband Internet infrastructure that will benefit all Floridians and make long-term impacts in communities across the state.”

NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.

Blue Angels Wow Friday Crowds, And Here’s Saturday’s Schedule (With Gallery)

July 8, 2023

The Blue Angels and other participants wowed crowds Friday at the Pensacola Beach Air Show dress rehearsal.

For a photo gallery from Friday’s show, click or tap here.

Saturday, July 8, marks the official Pensacola Beach Air Show.

Starting about 11 a.m., prior to the official waivered airspace closure signaling the start of the show on Saturday, expect to see:

  • Pilot Julian MacQueen flying his vintage 1943 Grumman Widgeon seaplane overhead.
  • Pilot Gene Valentino flying his ICON A5 Amphibious light sport plane.
  • U.S. Coast Guard pilot Lt. Cmdr. Mark Currier, from the Aviation Training Center in Mobile, flying his HC-144 Ocean Sentry large turbopop aircraft.
  • Training Squadron Ten (VT-10) from NAS Pensacola in a formation fly-by in their T-6 Texans aircraft.
  • VeriJet, a private airline, will fly by in a three-ship formation of Cirrus SF-50 Vision Jets.
  • Navy pilot Tanner Matheny will be flying over in his 1946 North American Navion airplane named Olivia.
  • U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue (SAR) demonstration from the back of a HH-60J Blackhawk helicopter piloted by Lt. Travis Rhea.

Then, at approximately noon Saturday only, event-goers will be asked to stand as actor and singer Kara Kimmer performs acapella The National Anthem to mark the official start of the Pensacola Beach Air Show.

Next up, look high in the sky as the Red Bull Air Force team will kick things off with a synchronized flag-carrying skydiving formation, landing at the show center next to the Pensacola Beach Pier. New to the air show this year, the Red Bull Air Force team is assembled from the most accomplished aviation experts on the planet who continually push the limits of human flight.

Following that, the Veteran’s Flight team in their bright yellow, vintage World War II-era biplanes, will be making several passes over Casino Beach. Organized by Pensacola attorney and pilot Roy Kinsey, about a dozen Stearman pilots from all over the Southeast are flying in the show to pay tribute to all WWII and Korean War vets.
Next in line, another new addition to this year’s air show is MiG-17F pilot Bill Culberson with Fighterjets Inc. Born the son of an Air Force fighter jet pilot who also joined the Air Force, Culberson has been in love with military aviation as long as he can remember. His classic 1950s-era MiG-17F can maintain 8g turns with a max speed of 715 mph.

Following that, pilots Ken Rieder and Adam Baker with Redline Aerobatic Team take to the skies at approximately 12:45 p.m. in their signature red and black planes to perform opposing stunts, inverted maneuvers and fun formations directly overhead.

Hang onto your hat as pilot Skip Stewart wows the crowds next with his high-skill passes and jaw-dropping maneuvers from his famous red, white and black-checkered bi-plane, Prometheus. Don’t miss his signature inverted ribbon-cutting pass over the Pensacola Beach Pier.

Following Skip Stewart, at approximately 1:05 p.m., there will be a brief 15-minute window for spectators to cool off and take a dip in the Gulf before lifeguards clear the water again.

Then, at approximately 1:30 p.m., the Red Bull Air Force team is back again, creating a visual spectacle like no other. Consisting of helicopter pilot Aaron Fitzgerald, aerobatic pilot Kevin Coleman in his Extra 300 SHP plane, and the Red Bull Air Force jump team – the trio will perform a joint aerial demonstration that will last approximately 25 minutes.

Look to the Gulf horizon at approximately 2 p.m. as the famous C-130J aircraft, affectionately known as Fat Albert, followed by six signature blue and gold F-18 Super Hornets, make their way over Pensacola Beach.

For the next 45 minutes, spectators will get a glimpse of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels aeronautic maneuvers like the Diamond Dirty Loop, the Double Farvel, the Vertical Pitch, the Fleur-de-Lis, the Opposing Knife-Edge pass, and the crowd-favorite Sneak Pass. These are just a few of the mind-blowing displays of choreographed precision flying the Navy’s flight demonstration team, and our hometown heroes, has perfected over the past 77 years.

Pictured: Friday’s Blue Angels practice show. NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.

Sheriff Says Bristol Park Event Will Jeopardize Public Welfare. It’s Not The Cantonment Bristol Park.

July 8, 2023

Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons has designated the Bristol Park of Escambia County as a “special event zone” ahead of a anticipated unsanctioned event on Sunday.

“This unsanctioned and unpermitted event is expected to host approximately 1,000 people,” the ECSO said. “We believe this unpermitted event will strain public safety resources, disrupt traffic flow, and jeopardize the public’s welfare.”

The designated area is around the Bristol Park, an Escambia County Parks and Recreation facility on Bristol Avenue at Michigan Avenue. It is not the Bristol Park subdivision along Bristol Park Road off County Road 97 in Cantonment.

“This statute provides for strict enforcement, allowing fines to be doubled and violating vehicles to be impounded. This will also allow the ECSO to pursue all legal means to recover costs and fees associated with providing supplemental law enforcement for this unpermitted and unsanctioned event from the promoter and/or organizer,” the agency said.

County Seeking Applications for Affordable Housing Advisory Committee

July 8, 2023

The Board of County Commissioners is soliciting applications for persons interested to serve as representative to the Escambia-Pensacola Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) for the term August 4, 2023, through December 31, 2024. The committee was established for the purpose of reviewing affordable housing incentives available within the county and to make recommendations concerning those incentives to the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and Pensacola City Council. The committee will also help in the development of the Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program.

The Board is seeking to fill seven slots with citizens actively involved from he following categories:

  • residential home building industry in connection with affordable housing.
  • banking or mortgage banking industry in connection with affordable housing.
  • representative of those areas of labor actively engaged in home building in connection with affordable housing.
  • advocate for low-income persons in connection with affordable housing.
  • for-profit provider of affordable housing.
  • not-for-profit provider of affordable housing.
  • real estate professional in connection with affordable housing.
  • local planning agency pursuant to Florida Statutes, Sec. 163.3174.
  • resides within the jurisdiction of the local governing body making the appointments.
  • represents employers within the jurisdiction.
  • represents essential services personnel, as defined in the local housing assistance plan.

The AHAC must have at least eight and no more than 11 members representing at least six categories identified in the statute.

The committee will meet monthly during review and development of the affordable housing incentives and the new LHAP and at least quarterly thereafter. Members will serve three-year terms unless a position is filled mid three-year cycle. Positions will be recommended to the board for approval in May.

Citizens interested in serving should complete an application available online here, or request a form via email at NED@myescambia.com. Completed applications should be forwarded to:

Escambia County Neighborhood & Human Services Department
Neighborhood Enterprise Division/AHAC
Attn: Timothy H. Evans
221 Palafox Place, Suite 200
Pensacola, FL. 32502.

All applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on July 18, 2023, for consideration.

234,690 Steps: Escambia Extension Team Takes First in State Walking Challenge

July 8, 2023

Out of 65 teams around the state, Escambia Extension’s “Team 9 1/2 Mile Pensacola” won first place in the “Moderate Division” of University of Florida Health’s Spring Walking Challenge. The team racked up a total of 234,690 steps in the span of four weeks in April. Pictured: Team members (L-R) Carrie Stevenson, Khaliah Williams, Wendy Meredith, Gail Lepley, Lydia Purvis, and Haylee Linam. Not picture are Bridget Stice, Libbie Johnson, and Bethany Diamond. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Six-Run Fourth Lifts Blue Wahoos To 10-3 Win Over Shuckers

July 8, 2023

When the big inning ended, its production complete, Troy Johnston and his Blue Wahoos teammate Norel González exchanged a celebratory fist bump near first base.

It was only the fourth inning, but a statement was made.

On a Friday night when the team wore its Pensacola Pok-Ta-Pok uniforms for the third recognition of a season initiative in Minor League Baseball, this one was filled with line-drive ropes and a couple home run pokes in the Blue Wahoos’ 10-3 victory against the Biloxi Shuckers.

Both Johnston and Gonzalez homered in the game. Those blasts were separate from a six-run, fourth inning that changed a 3-2 deficit into a five-run lead.

From that point, Blue Wahoos starter Luis Palacios and three relievers – Eli Villalobos, Cristian Charle, and West Tunnell – spun scoreless innings the rest of the way. Palacios worked on a cliff’s edge, but got out of bases-loaded jam in the third inning after allowing two runs, then overcame two baserunners in the fourth inning. He finished five innings to earn the win.

Eight from Pensacola’s batting lineup scored runs. Five players had multiple hits. Johnston went 1-for-3 with 2 RBI and walked twice. Gonzalez went 2-for-4 with a booming homer over the right-center berm.

José Devers had a pair of hits, a pair of RBI and several notable defensive plays at shortstop. He was playing that spot Friday with Nasim Nuñez and pitcher Patrick Monteverde in Seattle for Saturday’s SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game.

First baseman Bennett Hostetler, catcher Will Banfield and center fielder Dalvy Rosario each collected two hits.

The fourth inning decided the game. Banfield led off with a single. With one out, the next seven Pensacola hitters reached base. Cobie Fletcher-Vance had one of the biggest hits with a 2-run double, and scored on Devers’ two-run single.

It was the Blue Wahoos’ first win in the Pensacola Pok-ta-Pok uniforms, which is part of Minor League Baseball’s Copa de la Diversion initiative to honor Latin American heritage in the game. Pok-ta-Pok was the first Mesoamerican ball game, played thousands of years ago.

The Blue Wahoos will now try to gain a series edge in Saturday’s fifth game of the homestand against the Shuckers.

by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos

Two Pedestrians Struck By Vehicles, Critically Injured Crossing North Century Boulevard

July 7, 2023

Two Brewton women were critically injured when they were struck by vehicles Thursday night in Century.

Both were walking across a North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) construction zone near Rudolph Street, in front of the Vallarta restaurant, about 8:30 p.m.. It is commonplace for restaurant patrons to park across the four-lane highway at an abandoned building and walk across the road.

Both women were airlifted to a Sacred Heart Hospital as “trauma alerts”.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a Chevrolet Silverado driven by a 36-year old Flat Rock, Alabama, man was traveling southbound when he noticed the pedestrians walking across the road.  He attempted to swerve and avoid a collision but struck a 34-year old woman from Brewton. The second pedestrian, a 53-year old Brewton woman, attempted to care for the first pedestrian. Troopers said the driver of a Chevrolet Tahoe, a 71-year old Brewton man, failed to see the second pedestrian.

The crash closed all lanes of North Century Boulevard.

Both drivers and three passengers — ages 1, 7 and 35 — in the pickup were not injured.

For more photos, click or tap here.

The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Flomaton Fire Department, Escambia County EMS, Flomaton MedStar EMS, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Flomaton Police Department, MedStar Air Care helicopter and ShandsCair helicopter responded to the crash.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Lightning Ends Thursday’s Blue Angels Practice; Full Shows Planned Friday, Saturday

July 7, 2023

Thursday’s Blue Angels practice show ended early due to lightning, but a full slate of shows are still planned for Friday and Saturday.

For a photo gallery from Thursday’s show, click or tap here.

Friday, July 7, is the Pensacola Beach Air Show dress rehearsal where flight demonstrations and civilian aerobatic performances begin at approximately noon, with the Blue Angels overhead at 2 p.m.

Saturday, July 8, marks the official Pensacola Beach Air Show and follows exactly Friday’s dress rehearsal schedule.

Starting about 11 a.m., prior to the official waivered airspace closure signaling the start of the show on Friday and Saturday, expect to see:

  • Pilot Julian MacQueen flying his vintage 1943 Grumman Widgeon seaplane overhead.
  • Pilot Gene Valentino flying his ICON A5 Amphibious light sport plane.
  • U.S. Coast Guard pilot Lt. Cmdr. Mark Currier, from the Aviation Training Center in Mobile, flying his HC-144 Ocean Sentry large turbopop aircraft.
  • Training Squadron Ten (VT-10) from NAS Pensacola in a formation fly-by in their T-6 Texans aircraft.
  • VeriJet, a private airline, will fly by in a three-ship formation of Cirrus SF-50 Vision Jets.
  • Navy pilot Tanner Matheny will be flying over in his 1946 North American Navion airplane named Olivia.
  • U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue (SAR) demonstration from the back of a HH-60J Blackhawk helicopter piloted by Lt. Travis Rhea.

Then, at approximately noon Saturday only, event-goers will be asked to stand as actor and singer Kara Kimmer performs acapella The National Anthem to mark the official start of the Pensacola Beach Air Show.

Next up, look high in the sky as the Red Bull Air Force team will kick things off with a synchronized flag-carrying skydiving formation, landing at the show center next to the Pensacola Beach Pier. New to the air show this year, the Red Bull Air Force team is assembled from the most accomplished aviation experts on the planet who continually push the limits of human flight.

Following that, the Veteran’s Flight team in their bright yellow, vintage World War II-era biplanes, will be making several passes over Casino Beach. Organized by Pensacola attorney and pilot Roy Kinsey, about a dozen Stearman pilots from all over the Southeast are flying in the show to pay tribute to all WWII and Korean War vets.
Next in line, another new addition to this year’s air show is MiG-17F pilot Bill Culberson with Fighterjets Inc. Born the son of an Air Force fighter jet pilot who also joined the Air Force, Culberson has been in love with military aviation as long as he can remember. His classic 1950s-era MiG-17F can maintain 8g turns with a max speed of 715 mph.

Following that, pilots Ken Rieder and Adam Baker with Redline Aerobatic Team take to the skies at approximately 12:45 p.m. in their signature red and black planes to perform opposing stunts, inverted maneuvers and fun formations directly overhead.

Hang onto your hat as pilot Skip Stewart wows the crowds next with his high-skill passes and jaw-dropping maneuvers from his famous red, white and black-checkered bi-plane, Prometheus. Don’t miss his signature inverted ribbon-cutting pass over the Pensacola Beach Pier.

Following Skip Stewart, at approximately 1:05 p.m., there will be a brief 15-minute window for spectators to cool off and take a dip in the Gulf before lifeguards clear the water again.

Then, at approximately 1:30 p.m., the Red Bull Air Force team is back again, creating a visual spectacle like no other. Consisting of helicopter pilot Aaron Fitzgerald, aerobatic pilot Kevin Coleman in his Extra 300 SHP plane, and the Red Bull Air Force jump team – the trio will perform a joint aerial demonstration that will last approximately 25 minutes.

Look to the Gulf horizon at approximately 2 p.m. as the famous C-130J aircraft, affectionately known as Fat Albert, followed by six signature blue and gold F-18 Super Hornets, make their way over Pensacola Beach.

For the next 45 minutes, spectators will get a glimpse of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels aeronautic maneuvers like the Diamond Dirty Loop, the Double Farvel, the Vertical Pitch, the Fleur-de-Lis, the Opposing Knife-Edge pass, and the crowd-favorite Sneak Pass. These are just a few of the mind-blowing displays of choreographed precision flying the Navy’s flight demonstration team, and our hometown heroes, has perfected over the past 77 years.

Pictured: Thursday’s Blue Angels practice show. NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.

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