The Air Show Must Go On

Despite no Blue Angels or Thunderbirds, a bevy of planes will still take flight this Cherry Fest

By Ellen Miller | June 27, 2025

For many, the National Cherry Festival Air Show is synonymous with big jet teams like the Blue Angels or the Thunderbirds. Last year, however, news broke that neither group would be back in 2025.

Never fear—the Air Show still has plenty on offer! From a tribute performance to the annual Coast Guard Open Ramp event, this year’s lineup offers the opportunity to show off some planes that aren’t able to be squeezed onto the schedule when the jet teams participate.

“Obviously this year we don’t have the Blue Angels or the Thunderbirds which people have come to expect, but we’ve done the show before without these teams,” says David Bearss, a member of the Air Show planning committee. “We’re really excited! For us it’s an opportunity to get in some more planes that we don’t normally have time for when we have the big jet teams.”

Aircraft & Programming Lineup

This year, both of the current fifth-generation fighter jets will be giving demos: the US Air Force F-22 Raptor and the Marine Corps F-35B.

“These are the current, state-of-the-art fifth-generation fighter jets that the U.S. operates,” says Bearss. “It’s unique to have both together at the show.”

The Michigan Army National Guard will be back this year and is bringing two Chinook helicopters. They will have a new demo where swimmers jump out of the helicopter into the water.

“We generally open the show with the local Coast Guard base doing a search and rescue demo,” says Bearss. “Last year we mixed it up; Air Station Detroit sent a Dolphin helicopter, which will join again this year, and we’ll have a three-ship Coast Guard flight including the two from Traverse City and one from Air Station Detroit.

“Another really cool opportunity is that the Marine Corps Harrier jets are going to be retired in 2027. We’re going to have a Harrier in town, as well as the F-35 that is replacing the Harrier in the Marine Corps fleet. It’s a unique opportunity to see those airframes together,” Bearss adds. “It’s one of the final opportunities, at least for people in our area, to see the Harrier fly.”

A couple other National Guard units with the C-130 and F-16s round out the military aircraft, and the show includes civilian acts as well, including Mike Terfehr, a local pilot, Bob Carlton, Matt Younkin, and Bill Stein.

Rob Holland, a nationally-touring and award-winning aerobatic pilot who was scheduled to be the civilian headliner, was killed in a crash earlier this year. Stein will be flying a tribute performance to Holland. “We’re fortunate to have Bill in town for that,” reflects Bearss.

“Really the highlight is that although we don’t have a big jet team, we have a lot more variation in the rest of the show and are able to feature some things we don’t normally have in town,” Bearss explains.

Up in the Air

The National Cherry Festival Air Show takes place on Saturday and Sunday, June 28-29. The planes will conduct a dress rehearsal on Friday, June 27. On all three days, planes will be up in the air from 1-4pm.

Leading up to the air show, things should be a bit quieter than in years past. When the demo teams are in town, they “have a strict schedule and do circle and arrivals, where they fly around town and look at landmarks,” says Bearss.

The absence of the jet teams—which are known for their speed and their sound—will mean fewer aerial disturbances for dogs and napping babies during the practice sessions and performances. While people might hear the show’s planes in the air (most arrive Thursday, with at least one plane arriving Tuesday), there aren’t scheduled practice times like the Blue Angels have. If you’re in town, you should expect to hear planes throughout the week, but it won’t be the regular cadence of the jet teams.

Watching from the Water

Planning to take in the excitement waterside? Don’t forget about the box!

The air box—which is actually a line of buoys in Grand Traverse Bay—will be similar to years past. Here’s what to know: There are two lines of buoys that go across the bay, west to east, one on the north side and one on the south side. Those buoys are there to restrict boating traffic during the time of the show. The boxes are closed and enforced by several local agencies, generally from about 11:30am until after 4pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

If you’re planning to be on the water, be aware! If you’re south of the box (in between the box and the beach or marina), you cannot cross the box until the show is over.

“Being on a boat is one of the best ways to watch the show, but you have to plan ahead and know you’re going to stick around for the whole thing or need to be on the north side to get out of town,” Bearss emphasizes. “The lines are marked by large orange buoys. Don’t cross the line! It’s obvious once the show starts.”

Eyes to the Sky, Ears on the Radio

Whether you’re on the beach or taking in the airshow from a distance, don’t miss tuning in to WCCW 107.5 for the live commentary.

“For a couple years now we’ve hired a professional airshow announcer, Luke Carrico, who does an amazing job. He travels around the world and does a great job narrating the show and sharing a lot of information with the public,” says Bearss. “It’s the best way to experience or augment the show if you’re watching from anywhere; you can tune in on the radio or can pull up and livestream it from WCCW’s website. They broadcast the actual narration, which is what is heard down at show center.”

Pro Tips

First, Bearss says to bring the three essentials, especially when with the kiddos: sunscreen, water, and ear protection. Beyond that, he shares some expert advice on viewing, parking, and more.

For early viewing, “Friday is really cool, especially for the community. Friday we fly a dress rehearsal, so from 1-4 on Friday you can essentially see the entire airshow, and very often the crowds on the beaches are much more mild.”

For those who want a one-of-a-kind experience, “the other really cool event which is quite unique is the Open Ramp event on Friday night,” Bearss says. Every year the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station opens their doors to the public to walk around and look at planes and interact with the pilots and personnel who are out and about.

Bearss also notes that in the past, parking could be chaotic for the Air Station tour; this year the event has expanded parking and shuttle options. Folks can grab a shuttle from the Presbyterian Church on Westminster Road or from Northwest Ed Career Tech Center. Remember that it’s a government facility and expect a brief security screening, which means leave the backpacks at home!

“We are so appreciative of the Coast Guard base and the whole Coast Guard community here,” concludes Bearss. “They open their home to us for a couple weeks every year. We couldn’t do this show without them!”

The National Cherry Festival Air Show will take place June 28-29, 2025. For more event details, visit cherryfestival.org/events/2025/air-show.

Photo courtesy of National Cherry Festival / Mark Kolanowski