General Information

Public Viewing Locations

The air show will be accessible to view from several pre-designated public viewing sites, including Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, and the grounds of MedStar Harbor Hospital for reserved groups only. Aircraft take offs and landings can be observed, along with a display of military aircrafts, at Martin State Airport.

Because Baltimore has never hosted an air show like this before, repeated on two days, it is difficult to predict the size of the crowds at each viewing site. You may wish to consider alternatives available to you inside air-conditioned high rise office and residential buildings with sight lines to the Middle Branch. Several less-crowded public parks provide “peek-a-boo” views of the performance airbox (e.g. Canton Waterfront Park, Riverside Park, Cherry Hill Park, Reedbird Island Park, Garrett Park). Viewing sites have been designated at:

Fort McHenry – 2400 East Fort Avenue, www.nps.gov/fomc

MedStar Harbor Hospital – 3001 S. Hanover Street, www.harborhospital.org

Port Covington/Sam’s Club – 2701 Port Covington Drive

Martin State Airport – 701 Wilson Point Road, www.martinstateairport.com

Viewing options from the water include personal recreational watercraft, catered commercial cruises and chartered vessels and tall ships. Click here for the latest information about recreational boating restrictions on air show days.

In addition, there will be a live broadcast of the air show on Saturday, June 16 and Sunday, June 17 on large LED screens in both the Inner Harbor and Fell’s Point. This is a great opportunity for interested spectators who want to catch the air show but wish to avoid large crowds while visiting the ships. The LED screens will also air both taped and live Sailabration events and activities throughout the week.

For Your Protection
Please prepare yourself for a whole day (each day) at the air show. Bring plenty of water and/or fluids. The air show is held under an open sky and there is very little shaded area at each viewing site. We encourage everyone to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, hats and smart phones for real-time updates.

What NOT to Do

You may not stop your vehicle on the side of the road or any major highways, including Hanover Street and Interstates 95 and 895, to watch. Police will write tickets and tow cars at the owner’s expense for parking on the side of major highways and roads in non-parking, non-stopping areas. 

Seating

Space is on a first-come, first-served basis at all viewing sites. Seats or risers will not be available at any public viewing locations, but you can bring blankets, lawn chairs, bag chairs, etc. Once a venue has reached its full capacity, it will be closed to other visitors who may then opt to tour the visiting ships or other attractions within the city.

ADA Accessibility

An area has been designated for ADA access to the air show at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. Please alert a park ranger when you arrive and they will direct you to the area. Please note, this is on a first-come, first-served basis and ADA seating is limited.

Show Time
The Star-Spangled Air Show is scheduled to start around 1:00 p.m. After 3:00 p.m., the pace of action will begin to increase, with the Blue Angels beginning their performance between 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

On Saturday, June 16, Fort McHenry will also be hosting the Celebration of the American Flag at 6:00 p.m., following the air show. Visitors are encouraged to stay and enjoy live music, food, vendors and fireworks at dark.

Weather
The air show will most likely take place rain or shine, however the air show may be delayed and/or cancelled based on severe weather conditions. Please check starspangled200.com for air show updates throughout the week.

Admission
Admission to the Star-Spangled Air Show is free for all visitors. Please note that once capacity has been reached at each viewing site – Fort McHenry, MedStar Harbor Hospital, and Port Covington/Sam’s Club – visitors will not be granted admittance and may then opt to tour the visiting ships or other attractions within the city or at Martin State Airport.

We expect all locations to draw large crowds and reach venue capacity at each site very early in the day. Venue capacity will be determined on the day of each air show based on various factors, including but not limited to, weather, air temperature, and how many people each venue can safely hold. Interested spectators are asked to check the website, Facebook and Twitter for real-time updates on venue capacity throughout the air show day on Saturday, June 16 and Sunday, June 17.

Please check back at a later for updates on specific air show admission procedures.

Road Closures
Beginning on June 14, Fort Avenue will be closed at Andre Street. No personal vehicle traffic will be permitted past Andre Street – a distance of about 2,500 feet from the Fort’s main gate – until it reopens on June 18. In addition, there will be no parking on Fort Avenue past Andre Street to Fort McHenry.  Any vehicle parked there will be towed.

Public Transportation
During Sailabration, you may experience a heavier volume of traffic due to the special events taking place throughout the city. Please be patient, check the website for updates and road closures, and strongly consider taking public transportation into downtown Baltimore. Options include Water Taxi, MTA (MARC, Light Rail, Bus), Amtrak and the Charm City Circulator’s free Banner Route, which travels from the Baltimore Visitor Center to Fort McHenry every ten minutes.

Public Parking
No parking will be permitted on Fort Avenue between Andre Street and Fort McHenry.  Any vehicle parked there will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Please pay close attention to any and all parking restrictions throughout the city, as they vary from location to location. There will be strict enforcement of all parking and no stopping zones during Sailabration. Cars parked illegally will be ticketed or towed at the owner’s expense.

You are NOT permitted to pull over or stop on the side of the any roads or major highways, including Interstates 95 and 895 to view the air show or visiting ships.

Stadium Parking and Shuttles to Fort McHenry
A FREE shuttle bus will be made available for spectators viewing the air show at Fort McHenry only. The shuttle bus will depart from M&T Bank Stadium Lots. There will be ample parking available at M&T Bank Stadium Lots G or H ($20, including an event production surcharge). Once Fort McHenry has reached full capacity, air show spectators will be redirected to an alternative viewing location, such as MedtStar Harbor Hospital and Port Covington/Sam’s Club. Please note that air show spectators will be responsible for their own transportation to MedStar Harbor Hospital and Port Covington/Sam’s Club, as the free shuttle is for Fort McHenry only.