by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
All eyes will be on the sky over Jacksonville’s beaches when four cities come together to host the 2007 Jacksonville Sea & Sky Spectacular Nov. 2-4.
This will be the fourth year the event has been held at the beaches. Director of Special Events for the City of Jacksonville Theresa O’Donnell said NAS Jacksonville hosts the event on even years and the beaches host the event on odd years.
O’Donnell said the event is presented through the partnership of the City, Mayport Naval Air Station and the cities of Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach.
This year’s Sea & Sky Spectacular brings in dozens ofmilitary and civilian air acts, including the United States Navy Blue Angels for the over-the-ocean sky show. Logistically, the event requires the cooperation of everyone involved.
“We are working with four police stations, three fire stations and four City Councils,” she said. “We laid the ground work in 2000 before the event in 2001, and people have carried on their same duties year after year.
“It gets a little easier, because everyone knows their responsibilities.”
O’Donnell explained that the City took the lead in organizing the event in the beginning simply because her office was used to organizing large events such as the annual Florida-Georgia game, the Light Parade down the St. Johns and World of Nations.
“The Navy has been great, bringing in all of the military equipment and personnel,” she said. “The public safety departments are more familiar with the event.
“We also met with the retailers (at the beach) and walked door-to-door asking them to have specials to get people inside. Our office just makes sure everything falls into place.”
In the past four years, O’Donnell said since the event has grown, retailers and the hotels at the beach look forward to the event each year.
“The beaches have seen the economic impact of the event picking up year after year,” she said.
There are a few new features that have been added this year. O’Donnell said there will be more events on the ground while the performers are in the air. Some features will include static displays of aircraft and military vehicles, a Navy racing simulator, airplane simulators and an Area X51 simulator, as well as crafts and events for children in the Kiddy Hawk Kids Area. The flying acts are different as well, but the last performance of the day will always be the Blue Angels, she said.
“It is a fabulous show with a wonderful backdrop,” said O’Donnell.
For more information about the event, visit www.jaxseaandsky.net or www.coj.net.
Jacksonville Sea & Sky Spectacular
Admission free for all events.
Nov. 2
• Pre-Flight Party - Seawalk Pavilion, 6-10 p.m.
Nov. 3
• Presentation of the American Flag - 9:50 a.m.
• United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon - Seawalk Pavilion, 11:30 a.m.
• Sea & Sky Spectacular Air Show - 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Nov. 4
• Presentation of the American Flag - 9:50 a.m.
• Sea & Sky Spectacular Air Show - 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Other events Nov. 3 & 4:
• Ground activities
• Aviation Alley autograph session
• Kiddy Hawk kids area
• Recruitment booths
• VIP Cabanas ($25 & $15 tickets)
Parking
• Patrons are urged to use the free shuttles. Parking will not be available on-site Nov. 3 & 4. Shuttles will run continuously from the TPC lots (west of A1A on Palm Valley Road/CR-210) to the event.
Ocean and Beach Restrictions:
• The U.S. Coast Guard will be enforcing a safety zone: 1 mile north of the pier, 1-3/4 miles south of the pier and a 1/2 mile east of the pier.
• Swimming and surfing will not be permitted from Seagate Avenue to 13th Avenue south.
• Standing or walking on the sand dunes to view the show is not permitted.
• The Jacksonville Beach Pier will close Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. and will reopen Nov. 5 at 6 a.m.