Thunderbirds and more: 5 things to know about this weekend’s Huntington Beach airshow

Look, up in the sky – it’s the third annual Huntington Beach air show.

Newly renamed the Great Pacific Airshow, the spectacular event takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19 through Oct. 21. It will be centered at Pacific Coast Highway, across from The Waterfront Beach Resort.

The show is the same all three days. For a line-up of performances, go to surfcityusa.com/events.

Here’s what you need to know to get the most out of the experience.

If you can only go for a few hours:

Try to plan your time allotment toward later in the day so you can enjoy the thrilling acrobatics of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds – narrated by Thunderbird No. 8 Major Branden Felker, a 2002 Irvine High School alum.

But if you’re driving:

Get there as early as you can. Beach parking lots, which open at 6 a.m., are expected to fill up quickly. Alternately, you can save yourself the $30 parking fee by catching the free Surf City Shuttle, which will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Or, take a public bus or a private taxi. Uber and Lyft will drop off and pick up at a dedicated zone on Pacific Coast Highway at Huntington Street.

Want beer?:

You’ll need to buy a VIP ticket. For $20, you can pitch your towel or chair near a no-host bar. A Flight Line Club ticket for $119 includes a table, umbrella and hosted bar. Alcohol can only be purchased in the special seating areas. Vendors all over the place will sell soft drinks and food.

Come rain or fog:

The show must go on regardless of weather – except in the case of lightning, an unlikely occurrence.

Watch from the water:

You can swim and surf during the show, although only in waist-deep water. Also, you can take in the excitement from a boat on the water.

Source: Orange County Register