TRAVERSE CITY, MI. – Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City will host an ‘Open Ramp’ event on Friday, from 6-8 p.m., in support of the 2016 National Cherry Festival Airshow.
Admission is free and open to the public.
Parking opens at 5 p.m.
The air station is opening its gates and allowing up-close access to the National Cherry Festival Airshow performers, including the U.S. Navy Blue Angels F/A-18s and their C-130 ‘Fat Albert,’ a Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry Patrol Aircraft, the Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Demonstration Team, Copeland, Goulian and Redline aerobatic aircraft, and Air Station Traverse City’s own MH-65D Dolphin helicopter.
Numerous other performers, military and civil organizations will be on site to include Giving Wings, Northwestern Michigan College aircraft and drones, North Flight, and the Air National Guard.
Piper, the wildlife control canine at the Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City, Mich., checks the area for pests as aircrews from Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City in an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and the Royal Canadian Air Force in a CH-146 Griffon take off during a joint search-and-rescue training exercise at the airport Oct. 17, 2015. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Air Station Traverse City)
Rain or shine, meet the real-life heroes of the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, and Cherry Capital Airport’s wildlife control canine ‘Piper’.
Come get a close-up look at their aircraft and learn firsthand what they do each and every day. Of special note this year, the Blue Angel pilots and crew will be available to mingle during the event.
Government issued photo IDs will be required for admittance. All persons, vehicles and bags will be subject to search. No weapons or animals will be allowed on base, with the exception of service animals. In an effort to reduce security wait times, bringing bags on base is discouraged. Only purses, diaper bags and small personal bags will be allowed.
Designated parking will be provided at the air station located at 1175 Airport Access Road in Traverse City. Carpooling is highly encouraged, as available space is limited. No parking will be allowed on Airport Access Road or the grassy areas on either side.
This event is open to the general public and is handicap accessible.
