Date: May 3, 2024 (This is Practice Day....the main event takes place May 4th and 5th) Location: Russel-Fields Pier Address: 16201 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, Fl 32413 Ticket Price: FREE
The Gulf Coast Salute Air show is over three days – Friday through Sunday, May 3-5 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day at the Russell-Fields City Pier at Pier Park. This Friday event (5/3/24) is a rehearsal or practice day, but it will be to air show standards. Attending Friday might be a great way to avoid the larger weekend crowds.
Get ready to witness the skies come alive in Panama City Beach on May 4-5, 2024 at the Russell-Fields City Pier at the inaugural Gulf Coast Salute Airshow. Whether you're an aviation enthusiast, a thrill-seeker, or simply looking for a memorable weekend with your loved ones, the Gulf Coast Salute Airshow promises excitement and entertainment like no other.
Gulf Coast Salute Air Show Schedule
See the schedule for Saturday and Sunday on the main event post. The assumption is that the Practice Day schedule will be the same as the 2 main event days.
Free parking is available at Aaron Bessant Park. There is also paid parking available at Sharky's Beachfront Restaurant. For people with mobility issues, there will be golf cart shuttles available from Aaron Bessant Park.
In terms of Parking, the only city designated parking for this event is on the grassy fields behind Aaron Bessant Park. This parking lot opens at 6 a.m. each day. Parking attendants will be on site. You can only access the parking and the air show from Panama City Beach Parkway, as a portion of Front Beach Road will be closed. There is no overnight parking at Aaron Bessant or Pier Park.
Parking will be scarce for this event. Wherever you park, remember you cannot park:
Within 20 feet of any intersection
Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant
On sidewalks or in crosswalks
On bike paths
Or in construction zones
We highly recommend using ride share or car pooling to the event. If you are walking to the show, all pedestrians must use crosswalks; police will be on Panama City Beach Parkway at Pier Park Drive and at the Powell Adams Road intersection to assist pedestrians.
Front Beach Road will be closed from Powell Adams Road to just west of West Park Drive during all three days from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pier Park Drive, L.C. Hilton Drive, and West Park Drive inside Pier Park will be closed for the entire event.
Please remember the Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally is going on at the same time as the air show. Anticipate lengthy traffic delays on Panama City Beach Parkway. There will be congestion at major intersections to include Nautilus Street, Gulf Boulevard, Hills Road, Powell Adams Road, and Pier Park Drive.
During the event, parking lot capacity, traffic conditions and other updates will be provided through our media partners, the City’s social media pages, and the Alert Bay App.
Electronic message signs will be installed at multiple intersections including State Road 79, north of Philip Griffitts Sr. Parkway, at PCB Parkway east of Hills Road, on Front Beach Road at Winn fixie and Front Beach at the All American Diner.
You can text PCBairshow to 888777 to sign up for updates. (Source)
Road Closures
Please be aware that some roads will be closed for the event.
Portions of South Pier Park Drive, LC Hilton Jr Drive, West Park Drive, and Front Beach Road will be closed this weekend for the Gulf Coast Salute Air Show. All vehicular traffic will be diverted in accordance with the map attached. South Pier Park Drive and LC Hilton Jr. Drive will be closed from 5 a.m. Thursday, May 2 to 5 p.m. Monday, May 6. West Park Drive will be closed from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 3 through Sunday, May 5. And portions of Front Beach Road will be closed from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 3 through Sunday, May 5.
FAQs about the Gulf Coast Salute Air Show in Panama City Beach, FL
Where can I see the Gulf Coast Air Salute show?
Center stage will be directly in front of the Russell Fields City Pier. The best viewing will be within 1 mile East or West of the pier. (Source)
Viewing is on the sandy portion of the beach at the City Pier, and about a half mile on either side of the pier. Basically, the area from around State Road 79 to Gulf Boulevard. Seating is on the sand, so bring a towel or a folding chair. (Source)
What is the Gulf Coast Salute Air show schedule?
According to Visit Panama City Beach's comment on this FB post, "the show is from 10am-4pm. The Thunderbirds will perform at 3pm daily. The other entertainers will proceed them. Their schedules are subject to last minute changes." So, they have not published specific times for the different acts as of today April 30, 2024.
Friday, May 3: Practice Day: 10:00AM – 4:00PM
Saturday, May 4: Show Day: 10:00AM – 4:00PM
Sunday, May 5: Show Day: 10:00AM – 4:00PM
Can I watch the Gulf Coast Salute air show during practice day?
Yes! The Gulf Coast Salute Air Show practice day on Friday is an excellent opportunity to get out and see the show and beat out some of the crowds. All vendors and activations will be open. (Source)
How much does the Gulf Coast Salute Air Show cost?
In terms of Parking, the only city designated parking for this event is on the grassy fields behind Aaron Bessant Park. This parking lot opens at 6 a.m. each day. Parking attendants will be on site. You can only access the parking and the air show from Panama City Beach Parkway, as a portion of Front Beach Road will be closed. There is no overnight parking at Aaron Bessant or Pier Park.
Parking will be scarce for this event. Wherever you park, remember you cannot park:
Within 20 feet of any intersection
Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant
On sidewalks or in crosswalks
On bike paths
Or in construction zones
We highly recommend using ride share or car pooling to the event. If you are walking to the show, all pedestrians must use crosswalks; police will be on Panama City Beach Parkway at Pier Park Drive and at the Powell Adams Road intersection to assist pedestrians.
Front Beach Road will be closed from Powell Adams Road to just west of West Park Drive during all three days from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pier Park Drive, L.C. Hilton Drive, and West Park Drive inside Pier Park will be closed for the entire event.
Please remember the Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally is going on at the same time as the air show. Anticipate lengthy traffic delays on Panama City Beach Parkway. There will be congestion at major intersections to include Nautilus Street, Gulf Boulevard, Hills Road, Powell Adams Road, and Pier Park Drive.
During the event, parking lot capacity, traffic conditions and other updates will be provided through our media partners, the City’s social media pages, and the Alert Bay App.
Electronic message signs will be installed at multiple intersections including State Road 79, north of Philip Griffitts Sr. Parkway, at PCB Parkway east of Hills Road, on Front Beach Road at Winn fixie and Front Beach at the All American Diner.
You can text PCBairshow to 888777 to sign up for updates. (Source)
How can I receive updates about the Gulf Coast Salute Air Show in PCB?
Text PCBAIRSHOW to 888-777 for updates during the event weekend. (Source)
What road closures will there be for the Gulf Coast Salute Air Show in PCB?
Portions of South Pier Park Drive, LC Hilton Jr Drive, West Park Drive, and Front Beach Road will be closed this weekend for the Gulf Coast Salute Air Show. All vehicular traffic will be diverted in accordance with the map attached. South Pier Park Drive and LC Hilton Jr. Drive will be closed from 5 a.m. Thursday, May 2 to 5 p.m. Monday, May 6. West Park Drive will be closed from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 3 through Sunday, May 5. And portions of Front Beach Road will be closed from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 3 through Sunday, May 5. (Source)
Can you watch the Gulf Coast Salute Air Show from a boat?
There are no published maps or other information for viewing from a vessel offshore for the event. Agencies will have a marked and patrolled restricted area during the hours of the show. Buoys will mark the corners of the perimeter. Those coordinates are 30 11'55.47"N / 85 52' 01.09W and 30 12' 56.60"N / 85 53' 55.85"W. (Source)
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