Guide to Selfridge Air Show

Aviation enthusiasts need only look up this weekend as the dazzles overhead.

The popular attraction on Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township draws crowds with an array of attractions.

Here are some guidelines to help you navigate your way around the event.

Friday, Aug. 19

The featuring a performance with Eddie Money takes place in the evening in Hanger 36. General admission is $10 for the concert and fireworks, starting at 8 p.m. Military and military retirees with valid ID get in free to the concert. VIP tickets that went for $40 each are sold out.

Saturday, Aug. 20 and Sunday, Aug. 21

The air show and open house will be in full swing over the weekend with gates opening at 8 a.m. and closing at 5 p.m. According to the air show website, static display aircraft as well as military, aviation and technology displays can be viewed by guests after 8 a.m. A radio-controlled aircraft demonstration is scheduled from 10:30-11 a.m. Flying performances will begin at 11 a.m. and continue until the F-18 Hornet performance is over, about 3:30-4 p.m.

Heading to Air Show

Event organizers advise the public to arrive early and account for traffic. The general public must go to the main gate at Jefferson and M-59 or the air show gate from North River Road, west of Bridgeview. The Joy gate and Golf gates will turn away the people without proper credentials. 

Guests with handicap parking permits should use the North River Road exit to find parking on the east ramp.

• From north, using main gate at Jefferson and M-59: From I-94, exit 241 (21 Mile east) turn south on Jefferson to the north parking lots.
• From south, using air show gate on North River Road: From I-94, exit 237 to North River Road eastbound to enter the base from the south.
• From west, using main gate or air show gate: From M-59, enter I-94 either northbound or southbound for exit 241 or exit 237.

Guests with military identification can go to the golf gate by taking South River Road from downtown Mount Clemens or by coming from Metro Parkway. They can turn north on Crocker, right on Reimold St. until joining South River Road. Travel east on South River Road and turn left to north on Bridgeview. Once across the bridge, turn right on North River Road to the golf gate, according to the air show website.

Traffic advisories:

Rosso Highway (M-59) will be closed east of I-94 and Bridgeview Road will be closed between North River road and South River Road.

Expected Attractions

Many military aircraft, as well as some civilian planes, and ground vehicles are expected to be at the show.

Highlights of the air show include:

• Tin Stix Demo Team
• The upgraded F/A-18 Super Hornet variant, which entered the fleet in 2002. 
• Military flying demonstrations will be conducted by the A-10 Thunderbolt II, the KC-135 Stratotanker, Army CH-47 Chinook and the Coast Guard HH65 Dolphin, all of which are based at Selfridge. 
• Other military aircraft scheduled to either fly in the show or to be on static display during the show include the F-15 Strike Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, KC-10 Extender, C-130 Hercules, B-52 Stratofortress and B-1 Lancer.
• A Cold War-era Russian-built Mig-17, an F-86 Sabre, and World War II aircraft including the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-25 Mitchell, among others.
• View a complete list of attractions.

Air Show Tips

All carry-ons and people entering the military base are subject to search, according to the event website.

Banned from base

• No coolers (only small, soft sided "six pack" size for meds/baby food)
• No backpacks
• No glass containers
• No cans
• No alcohol
• No pets, unless they are assistance animals
• No weapons of any kind (firearms, knives, sharp edged items)
• No contraband
• No tents, awnings or beach umbrellas
• No cooking equipment
• No recreational vehicles (travel trailers, motor homes, etc.)
• No bikes
• No Roller Blades
• No skateboards
• No outdoor recreational items (Frisbees, lawn darts, etc.)
• You cannot walk onto the base.
• You cannot camp on the base.
• You cannot ride your boat up to the base.

Allowed on base

• Cameras
• Food and drinks being carried by hand
• Strollers
• Small--not large--diaper bags
• Folding chairs without the case
• Motorcycles may be driven into the base as long as riders are wearing proper safety attire, including helmets, long-sleeve shirts or jackets, full-fingered gloves, face shields, long pants and foot and eye protection.

Check out other coverage of the military base and its right here on Patch.

Admission and parking are free to the air show. The event will go on rain or shine. For more information, visit: www.selfridgeairshow.org and www.127wg.ang.af.mil.