FREE PASSES NOW AVAILABLE TO VIEW STAR-SPANGLED AIR SHOW FROM FORT MCHENRY ON JUNE 16 & 17

10,000 Free Passes Available Each Day for Air Show Spectators on a First-Come, First-Served Basis
 

BALTIMORE, MD (June 6, 2012) – Star-Spangled 200, Inc. is making available 10,000 free passes, as a convenience to guests, to view the free Star-Spangled Air Show from Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine on a first-come, first-served basis on both Saturday, June 16 and Sunday, June 17. As part of Star-Spangled Sailabration, the national launch of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 in Baltimore, the Star-Spangled Air Show will feature high-precision aviation acts from the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, featuring the renowned Blue Angels, over a two-and-a-half-hour period between 1 – 4 p.m. Ten thousand passes will be made available to air show spectators each day and can be found at www.starspangled200.com/airshow, with a limit of six passes per reservation.

Guests holding a pass must arrive at Fort McHenry between 8 – 10 a.m. After 10 a.m., the pass is null and void. After entry, there will be no readmission to the Fort due to the anticipated number of people attending the air show. Weather, temperature and other factors may necessitate restrictions on the number of guests admitted to the Fort at the discretion of the National Park Service without notice.

In addition, all individuals entering Fort McHenry will be subject to a security screening. Visitors are asked to arrive early, pay careful attention to all signs and announcements and to be patient. These procedures are in place to ensure the safety of those attending the air show.

Other Air Show Public Viewing Locations

The air show will be accessible to view from other pre-designated public viewing sites in addition to Fort McHenry, including the grounds of MedStar Harbor Hospital and Port Covington/Sam’s Club. No passes are required for entry to MedStar Harbor Hospital or Port Covington. However, once capacity has been reached at each viewing site, visitors may opt to tour the visiting U.S. and foreign tall ships and naval vessels or attend other Sailabration events within the city. It is anticipated that all public air show viewing locations will draw large crowds and reach venue capacity early in the day for each air show performance.

An alternative to viewing the Star-Spangled Air Show is to visit Martin State Airport, which will serve as the take-off and landing site for all aircrafts participating in the air show, or attend an autograph session with the Blue Angels following the air show each day. The airport will also host the Star-Spangled Aircraft Display and Festival on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., where visitors can enjoy food and beverages, as well as view U.S. Navy, Maryland Air National Guard, and U.S. Coast Guard aircrafts up close.

Several less crowded public parks provide “peek-a-boo” views of the performance, including Canton Waterfront Park, Riverside Park, Cherry Hill Park, Reedbird Island Park, and Garrett Park. Viewing the air show from the water is another great alternative. For information on restrictions for personal watercraft, visit starspangledbaltimore.com/faq.

In addition, there will be a live broadcast of the air show on both Saturday and Sunday on large LED screens in the Sailabration Villages in 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.

Fort McHenry Air Show Transportation & Parking

Fort Avenue will be closed to personal vehicles at Andre Street, a distance of one-half mile (2,500 feet), to the entrance of the Fort. There will be extremely limited parking nearby, so guests are encouraged to park at M&T Bank Stadium Lots A, B, and C ($20, including an event production surcharge) and use the free shuttle service, scheduled to begin at 7:45 a.m. to Fort McHenry. The free shuttle will only take air show spectators to and from Fort McHenry and will not travel to MedStar Harbor Hospital or Port Covington.

Other public transportation alternatives include the Charm City Circulator Banner Route or the MTA Bus Route 1 from the Inner Harbor. The free shuttle from M&T Bank Stadium, the Charm City Circulator and the MTA Bus will all have access beyond Andre Street and can deliver passengers to the entrance to the Fort. The Baltimore Water Taxi will also be operating to Fort McHenry.

Fort McHenry Facilities & Attractions

The Fort McHenry Sailabration Village will be open on Saturday, June 16 from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Sunday, June 17 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. On Saturday, the Fort will host the Celebration of the American Flag event at 6 p.m. following the air show. Visitors are encouraged to stay and enjoy live music, food, vendors and a fireworks display at dark.

Visitors are permitted to bring their own food and beverages to the air show. Seats and risers will not be provided, so air show spectators are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs or other seating to view the air show. An area has been designated for ADA access, although it is on a first-come, first-served basis with limited seating. Visitors are asked to alert a park ranger upon arrival at the Fort. Lastly, a mobile hospital unit will be stationed at the Fort on each air show day to provide medical care to any visitor in need.

To acquire a free pass to view the Star-Spangled Air Show at Fort McHenry, visit www.starspangled200.com/airshow. For more information on Star-Spangled Sailabration, please visit www.starspangled200.com.

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About Star-Spangled 200, Inc.

Star-Spangled 200, Inc. is the non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that supports the fundraising goals of the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission and is charged with helping to ensure the realization of successful programs, events, and community investment during the three-year commemoration period. For high-resolution images and more information about the Coins and about Star-Spangled Sailabration: visit www.starspangled200.com