Navy Week in Sioux Falls? For a landlocked city like ours this might seem like a strange occurrence if it weren't for the Navy Office of Community Outreach or NAVCO. NAVCO's mission if to connect communities across the U.S. with their Navy, because (logically) most Navy personnel and equipment are located on our coasts.

The Navy Week program brings sailors, equipment and displays to about 15 communities across the country each year. Lucky for us, that this year's Navy Week coincides with the Sioux Falls Airshow, as the Naval Aviation Outreach program also arranges performances by the Navy Blue Angels!

You can see the 2016 Sioux Falls Airshow/Power on the Prairie featuring the Navy's Blue Angel squadron this Saturday, July 23, 2016  and Sunday, July 24, 2016 from 11 AM to 5 PM at the Sioux Falls Regional Airport. Gates open and shuttles begin at 8:30 AM.

You'll be amazed by everything from a parachute jump (which kicks off the event) to a tribute to Sioux Falls' own Joe Foss, featuring a dogfight with a Japanese Zero to an F-16 demonstration, not to mention the extraordinary Blue Angels, and much more!

Here is a list of Do's and Dont's for the Sioux Falls Airshow:

Do bring:

  • Lawnchairs in bags (subject to search)
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Earplugs (for you and your kids, it gets pretty loud out there)
  • Brimmed hats
  • Camera (or you know- -your phone)
  • Small purse, handbags or fanny packs (again, subject to search)
  • Umbrellas
  • Strollers

Do not bring:

  • Coolers (food and beverages will be available for sale at show)
  • Canopies or tents
  • Drones
  • Hand-held laser pointers
  • Boomboxes
  • Backpacks or tote bags
  • Wagons or non-collapsible child-carrying items
  • Two-way communication devices
  • Pets

For a list of Frequently Asked Questions, click here.

Check out the complete schedule here

Reserved seating (not free and you cannot have umbrellas in this area, however these seats have backs, it is not bleacher seating) is still available here. You can even book rides on some of the historic planes associated with this show.

This extraordinary event is a collaboration between the Airshow Committee and the South Dakota Air National Guard which is celebrating their 70th Anniversary this year!

There are also numerous events associated with Navy Week and the Sioux Falls Airshow going on at the Siouxland Libraries and elsewhere, including the magnificent Hangar Dance on Thursday, July 21, 2016

For more information on Navy Week in Sioux Falls and the Sioux Falls Airshow click herehere and here.

Check out Ben and Beth Warden's (our friend and intrepid newsgal) ride in a World War II B25J airplane:

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