Armando and Maria Rivas found a spot on the Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier to watch the Blue Angels rehearsal performance over Pensacola Beach on Friday afternoon.
From there, they enjoyed an unobstructed view of the U.S. Navy’s elite flight demonstration team’s maneuvers, as well as the throngs of people packing the beach, soaking up the sun and emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
From top to bottom, the Rivas like to deck out in Blue Angels themed hats, clothes and accessories. The couple call Texas home, but they travel at least once a year, often more, to see the Blue Angels. Pensacola is their favorite place to see them perform.
“We started coming to the beautiful Pensacola Beach Air Show since 2016,” Maria Rivas said. “We see them every year in San Francisco in October, as well, but this is the best, beautiful Pensacola Beach. It's more intimate because it feels like they're closer to you rather than at a distance.”
The Rivas come back each year for Red, White and Blues Week and the Blue Angel’s Homecoming Show in November, just like a lot of locals who live here and make the Pensacola Beach Air Show an annual tradition.
Michelle Phillips arrived well before dawn to set up her tent on Casino Beach. She snagged the last open spot on the Gulf before the sun rose and joined the crowds of others eating, drinking and relaxing before the show. She may not always set up in the same area, but she always returns for the Blue Angels beach show year after year.
“As hard as things are for me right now, I'm trying to buy a house and it’s really hard to try and afford anything, and it's this real struggle, but when you see the show it just makes you feel like America is great. It doesn't matter what's going on in the world. This is a great place to be,” Phillips said.
Troy and Brittany Alasker came from their home in Perdido to watch the show with their three children and Brittany’s mother. They also come each year, but most of the time Troy has to work. He was able to be a part of the family tradition this year, and the entire family was hyped about not only spending time together but also celebrating the U.S. Navy’s high-flying pilot performers.
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“It’s the Christmas of July,” Brittany Alasker said with a big smile. “It feels like a local’s event. Everybody that we know and love is out here, the weather is gorgeous, it’s patriotic, we’re supporting the Navy. We love coming here and we love them!”
The Alaskers said they enjoy checking out the food, souvenirs and other items on display at the show’s vendor market near Casino Beach.
Pensacola entrepreneur Halston Michaud has a vendor tent there showcasing his custom-made bed business, Goonie Bedz Inc. The Blue Angels bed he has on display is a built to look like a fighter jet with the Blue’s classic blue and gold colors. He said it’s one of their most popular models and they also have one designed to look like the Blue’s C-130 affectionately known as “Fat Albert.”
“I want kids to feel excited to go to sleep and not afraid to go to sleep,” said Michaud, who designs a variety of beds with different themes from pirate ships and treehouses to outdoor adventures. “It’s about stressing the importance of sleep and mental health and combining those two together. Something as little as sleep can change all that, and I have family in the military and love the Blue Angels.”
The show attracted thousands to Pensacola Beach and the Casino Beach parking lot was closed by 7:30 a.m. Escambia EMS has a medical tent set up near the Public Safety Building and they treated several people for issues ranging from jellyfish stings and abrasions to heat exhaustion and dehydration. They couldn’t stress enough the importance of everyone drinking water, especially in the scorching heat.
The Visitor’s Center on Pensacola Beach is open for folks who want to cool down and there is also free water throughout the area, as well as free sunscreen and skin screenings provided by Baptist Health Care at the Public Safety Building.
The Rivas will be back out on Pensacola Beach along with thousands of others despite the heat and the crowds. They kept water handy and enjoyed the breeze on the pier while they watched the show, which they never tire of doing.
“The Blue Angels, they're the real top guns,” said Maria Rivas. “I think they're the best. They're the best of the best; precision, excellence, professional.”
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