Spectators at Martin State Airport for fleet week in 2024 (Maryland Aviation Administration)
As Maryland joins the nation in celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, residents and visitors will have an opportunity to experience one of the region’s largest celebrations of aviation history.
Sail250 Maryland and Airshow Baltimore will bring together international tall ships, military ships, flight demonstrations, educational exhibits and free family-fun festivals/activities throughout the Baltimore region from Tuesday, June 23, when the early ships arrive, to Wednesday, July 1, when the last ships depart. Sail250 is part of a five-city, national commemoration that started in New Orleans on May 28 then visited Norfolk, Virginia earlier this month. After Baltimore the tour heads to New York City from July 4 to July 8 and finishes in Boston, from July 11 to July 16.
Sail250 Maryland & Air Show Baltimore is produced by Living Classrooms’ Historic Ships in partnership with the United States Navy, Maryland Department of Commerce Office of Tourism, City of Baltimore and Baltimore County as well as Sail Baltimore, Air Support, Martin State Airport, United States Coast Guard, and other agencies and organizations. Sail250 Maryland celebrates by highlighting the people, technology, and transportation systems that have connect communities for generations. The week-long event will welcome visitors from around the world while showing Maryland’s unique role.
Sail 250 Maryland and Airshow Baltimore will feature a two-day community open house and festival at Martin State Airport the weekend of June 27-28. The airport will serve as the operational home for the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the British Royal Air Force Red Arrows during the airshow weekend. French Air & Space Force Patrouille de France and other flyover aircrafts will also participate in flight demonstrations.
Blue Angels flying over Martin State Airport in 2024 (Maryland Aviation Administration)
Martin State Airport offers a unique perspective because while spectators can view the airshow performances from multiple Baltimore Habor locations, visitors at the airport will have the opportunity to see aircraft up close as they depart and return throughout the weekend. There will be displays of military aircraft, musical entertainment, souvenirs, and local Maryland food vendors. Martin State Airport and the Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum open house will showcase Maryland’s rich aviation heritage through exhibits.
The Baltimore Inner Harbor, Fells Point and Baltimore Peninsula Festivals will take place Friday, June 26 to Sunday, June 28, and feature music, food and beverages and the opportunity to view and visit ships. The Baltimore Peninsula Festival will also host an airshow viewing festival along with visiting ships, music and food. Hosting an event of this scale requires significant coordination among transportation, public safety and emergency responders. To ensure a smooth visitor experience, free off-airport parking and shuttle bus service will be provided to and from the open house and festival. Airport visitors will be required to pass through security screening to access the aircraft displays on the airport tarmac. For ship tours, prior to boarding, all bags will be searched and anyone above the age of 18 will be required to show identification. People under 18 years old will have to be accompanied by an adult who has an ID.
Sail250 highlights the importance of transportation connections. In addition to shuttle services, attendees can access Martin State Airport via the MARC Penn Line, while visitors exploring other Sail250 locations can utilize public transit options in the Baltimore region.
Whether visitors come for the Blue Angels, the international flight demonstration teams, a festival or Kids on the Bay Parade, the festivities starting Tuesday, June 23 will be an unforgettable experience. To learn more about Sail250 Maryland and Airshow Baltimore including FAQ’s, ship tours, festivities, volunteering and schedule of events, etc. visit their website here.
Jena Queen is an MDOT Fellow interning with the Maryland Department of Transportation.