The Blue Angels - Some History

At the end of World War II, Chester W. Nimitz, then the Chief of Naval Operations, ordered the formation of a flight demonstration team to keep the public interested in naval aviation. The Blue Angels performed their first flight demonstration less than a year later in June 1946 at their home base, Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, Florida. Flying the Grumman F6F Hellcat, they were led by Lt. Cmdr. Roy “Butch” Voris.
Only two months later on August 25, 1946, the Blue Angels transitioned to the Grumman F8F Bearcat. One year later, the 1947 team, led by Lt. Cmdr. Robert Clarke, introduced the now famous “Diamond Formation.”
By the end of the 1940’s the Blue Angels were flying their first jet aircraft, the Grumman F9F-2 Panther. In response to the demands placed on naval aviation in the Korean Conflict, the team reported to the aircraft carrier USS Princeton as the nucleus of Fighter Squadron 191 (VF-191), Satan’s Kittens, in 1950.
The team reorganized the next year and reported to NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, where they began flying the newer and faster version of the Panther, the F9F-5. The Blue Angels remained in Corpus Christi until the winter of 1954 when they relocated to their present home base at NAS Pensacola, Florida. It was here that they progressed to the swept-wing Grumman F9F-8 Cougar.
The ensuing 20 years saw the Blue Angels transition to two more aircraft, the Grumman F11F-1 Tiger (1957) and the McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II (1969).
In December 1974, the Navy Flight Demonstration Team began flying the McDonnell Douglas A-4F Skyhawk II and was reorganized as the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. This reorganization permitted the establishment of a commanding officer vice a flight leader (Cmdr. Tony Less was the squadron’s first official commanding officer), added support officers and further redefined the squadron’s mission, emphasizing the support of recruiting efforts.
On November 8, 1986, the Blue Angels completed their 40th anniversary year during ceremonies unveiling their present aircraft, the new sleek F/A-18 Hornet, the first dual-role fighter/attack aircraft now serving on the nation’s front lines of defense.
In 1992 more than one million people viewed Blue Angel’s performances during a 30-day European deployment to Sweden, Finland, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, Italy, the United Kingdom and Spain. This was the first European deployment in 19 years.
The 2007 show season brought out more than 15 million spectators. Since 1946, the Blue Angels have performed for more than 427 million fans.

While in Traverse City - Experience the fine accommodations of Peninsula Bay Resort Condominiums on East Bay. Luxury condo suites await you. For more information please visit our website: Northern Shores Vacation Rentals, LLC.

The Blue Angels Air Show - The Rest of the Story

The U. S. Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron
The Blue Angels’ mission is to enhance Navy and Marine Corps recruiting efforts and to represent the naval service to the United States, its elected leadership and foreign nations. The Blue Angels serve as positive role models and goodwill ambassadors for the U. S. Navy and Marine Corps.
A Blue Angels flight demonstration exhibits choreographed refinements of skills possessed by all naval aviators. It includes the graceful aerobatic maneuvers of the four-plane Diamond Formation, in concert with the fast-paced, high-performance maneuvers of its two Solo Pilots. Finally, the team illustrates the pinnacle of precision flying, performing maneuvers locked as a unit in the renowned, six-jet Delta Formation.
The team is stationed at Forrest Sherman Field, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, during the show season. However, the squadron spends January through March training pilots and new team members at Naval Air Facility El Centro, California.
The Blue Angels are scheduled to fly 69 air shows at 35 air show sites in the United States during the 2009 season, as the team celebrates 23 years of flying the F/A-18 Hornet. Last season, more than 13 million spectators watched the Blue Angels perform. Since its inception in 1946, the Blue Angels have performed for more than 455 million fans.

While in Traverse City - Experience the fine accommodations of Peninsula Bay Resort Condominiums on East Bay. Luxury condo suites await you. For more information please visit our website: Northern Shores Vacation Rentals, LLC.

2010 National Cherry Festival - Blue Angels!

National Cherry Festival
Festivals
Location: Open Space, Downtown Traverse City
When: July 3 - 10, 2010

Oldest, Biggest and Still the Champion: The National Cherry Festival. Traverse City is still proud to be America’s Cherry Capital. It celebrates that heritage every year during the first week of July with an eight-day party featuring over 150 family activities: air shows(with the US Navy Blue Angels for 2010), fireworks, parades (including the nation’s largest all-children parade) games, races, midway rides, demonstrations, nightly outdoor concerts and lots of chances to taste delicious cherry products. Now in its 84th year, the Cherry Festival is Traverse City’s signature event, drawing as many as 500,000 attendees from around the country. Everything is located conveniently within walking distance, and since almost all the events are free, it offers more than a week of affordable family fun.

While in Traverse City - Experience the fine accommodations of Peninsula Bay Resort Condominiums on East Bay. Luxury condo suites await you. For more information please visit our website: Northern Shores Vacation Rentals, LLC.

Cherry Capital Winter Wonderfest - Traverse City

Cherry Capital Winter WonderFest
Festivals
Location: Grand Traverse Resort, Downtown Traverse City, Mt. Holiday

A Holiday weekend of fun! Something for everyone! The WonderFest features a "Winter Fun Zone" at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa offering Ice skating, Bonfires, X-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing, Snow Hill Climb n' Slide, Sleigh and Snowmobile rides. Kids games, outdoor carnival rides, MI Micro-brew tent, Chili Cook-off contest and even Fireworks! Competitive events include a 5K "Frozen Foot race", Kid's Snowshoe Race. Proceeds for the "Polar Plunge" event support Special Olympics of Michigan. Stop by Mt. Holiday to watch the Downhill Dash Mountain Bike Race, Rail Jam, Bobsled-a-rama, and "Big Air" Championship. And visit historic downtown Traverse City to view beautiful ice carvings and walk through the snow sculpture park, enjoy live music under the tent at the 3rd Annual Soup'r Bowl Competition and Beer Tent, and watch the Frozen Bed Race, Monster Dog Pull competition, "Tommy Tropic" juggler - kid's entertainer, Brain Freeze ice cream eating competition, frozen cherry pit contest, sweetheart of a sale in the downtown district, or take a horse and carriage ride. Snowball Winter Softball Tournament at the Grand Traverse Civic Center. Please visit the website: www.winterwonderfest.org for the most current schedule, to register for competitive events, and for additional information. Scheduled events are subject to change without notice.
Phone: (800) 748-0303

Annual North American Vasa Ski Race

Annual North American Vasa Ski Race
Annual Event
Location: Timber Ridge RV & Recreation

Join this 34th annual cross country ski race featuring classic events of 12 km and 27 km, and freestyle (skating) events of 12 km, 27 km, and 50 km. Start/finish at Timber Ridge Resort, Traverse City. First race starts at 8:30 am.
The relentless Lake Michigan snow making machine supplies plenty of snow for our course. The superb grooming by our VASA groomers has made this exceptionally beautiful course a winter-long top destination for cross country skiers from throughout the midwest. Races offered for 2010:
27 km Classic - 8:30am
50 km Freestyle - 9:00am
27 km Freestyle - 9:30am
12 km - 9:45am
American Waste JR. VASA Races offered:
1 km Classic Jr. VASA, 5 and under and 6-7 - 12:30pm
3 km Classic Jr. VASA, 8-9, 10-11 & 12-15 - 12:40pm
3km Freestyle Jr. VASA, 8-9, 10-11 & 12-15 - 12:50pm
For applications or information write or call: North American VASA: 537 Webster, Traverse City, 49684, or (231) 938-4400 or, register online at www.vasa.org
Phone: (231) 938-4400

The Bigfoot Snowshoe Race

The Bigfoot Snowshoe Race
Annual Event
Location: Timber Ridge Resort, 4050 Hammond Rd

Strap on your snowshoes for the Bigfoot Snowshoe Race at Timber Ridge Resort in Traverse City. Race distances include a 5k and 10k. Don't have your own shoes? Rent them from Timber Ridge or from a number of area retailers. No experience is necessary, but winter athletes can work hard as this is the Midwest qualifier for the National Championship Snowshoe Race, happening in March. Timber Ridge Resort is located at 4050 Hammond Rd. in Traverse City (Hammond and Six Mile). Phone: (231) 932-5401

Horse Show Lingo: Tack

Tack: The equipment worn by the horse depends on the needs of the animal. The saddle and bridle are the staples. Other equipment may be added, such as a martingale, which attaches to the saddle and bridle to keep the horse’s head from rising too high. Horses may also wear boots or bandages on their legs for support or protection.