One year after being canceled at the last minute due to the federal budget cuts known as sequestration, the popular 58th annual Miramar Air Show returns this weekend with heavy fanfare, KPBS media partner 10News reports.
Dubbed the largest in the nation, the popular air show begins Friday and runs through Sunday and is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of people. It will feature a slew of military and civilian performers, headlined by the Navy Blue Angels and featuring the Marine Air-Ground Task Force, the Navy Leapfrogs, Army Golden Knights, the Patriots Jets and several more.
There will be dozens of aircrafts on static display, including an FA-18 Hornet, AV-8B Harrier, MV-22 Osprey and a C-130J Super Hercules.
Admission and parking to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar are free. Gates open at 8 a.m. There is a matinee and twilight show each day.
Blanket seating, a paved area where attendees can set up blankets or lawn chairs, is free. People are allowed to bring their own food and coolers. No pets are allowed.
Grandstand tickets for either the matinee or twilight shows range from $10 to $25 for adults and $5 to $9 for children (ages 3-11), depending on the day and show. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.
Reserved box seating tickets are anywhere from $15 to $30 for adults and $8 to $25 for children. Attendees can also buy tickets for a premium box or flight deck chalet.
Proceeds from the show go to programs that support local military families. The 2012 show netted $1.6 million in profits for MCAS.
Because of the cancelation last year, Miramar was left holding the bag for more than a half-million dollars in contract reimbursements for performers and vendors who had already traveled to San Diego and begun setting up.
