Organizers of the annual Atlantic City Airshow announced June 8 that the beloved summer event will celebrate 20 years in the seaside resort town when it returns Aug. 16.

Last year’s beachfront airshow saw its largest attendance to date, with a record-breaking crowd of more than 550,000 people.

The Visit Atlantic City Airshow, “A Salute to Those Who Serve,” will include a new viewing experience as well as aerial performances by top military acts, such as the U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier Demo Team, U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team and the 177th Fighter Wing of the N.J. Air National Guard.

Michael Chait, president, Greater Atlantic City Chamber, said that to celebrate 20 years in Atlantic City, they plan to make this year’s show the best one yet.

The event is produced by the chamber in coordination with David Schultz Airshows LLC every year, featuring a variety of military performance/demo teams combined with top civilian high-performance aircraft and helicopters from across the country.

“Anchored by fan favorites, the Thunderbirds and Golden Knights, with our friends at the 177th Fighter Wing bringing local flair, the addition of the Marine’s Harrier Team is only going to enhance this year’s experience for fans, visitors, and sponsors alike,” said Chait. “It’s incredible to have the Marine’s Harrier Demo Team here in Atlantic City to celebrate our 20th anniversary. As part of an extremely limited number of airshows that the USMC Harrier Demo Team will participate in this year, we feel very honored to have them fly in Atlantic City.”

Chait also noted that additional military and civilian acts are in the process of being confirmed and will be announced in the coming weeks.

Organizers said the event is free, with spectacular views of the show from the free public beaches and Atlantic City Boardwalk. For those who cannot attend, the Airshow’s Practice Day, which is scheduled for Aug. 15, is a great alternative opportunity to watch the performers take to the skies.

Permission to enter the fly zone

This year, organizers have also added a unique viewing experience, debuting a special ticketed area right at the show center called The Fly Zone, which will be available for both Show Day and Practice Day.

“Building upon the success of our VIP Flightline Club in previous years, we decided to do things a little differently in 2023 – unveiling The Fly Zone ticketed premium viewing area at a reduced rate in celebration of our 20th anniversary,” said Chait. “This fenced-in, private spectator area on the beach is strategically placed right at the show center for the best views of the aerial demonstrations. Spectators can pick out and set-up their own personal seating areas right on the beach – with access to great amenities like private restrooms and food/beverage vendors – to further enhance the show experience.”

Chait said that if the success of the Flightline Club was any indication, organizers expect tickets for The Fly Zone to sell out quickly.

“We recommend that folks purchase tickets well in advance of both Practice Day and Show Day to ensure they secure access to this special viewing experience,” Chait added.

In addition to the crowds of a half-million or more descending on Atlantic City, the event also generates an estimated more than $70 million annually in overall regional economic activity.

“The Visit Atlantic City Airshow has been a staple in our community for 20 years, and we’re thrilled to serve as the premier sponsor for this landmark celebration,” said Larry Sieg, president and CEO of Visit Atlantic City. “This event brings an exciting flair to our beach, and we’re looking forward to seeing all the new acts this summer.”

More information on the event and tickets can be found at AtlanticCityAirshow.com.