Two aircraft from the Warbird Thunder Aerobatic Team perform aerobatic demonstrations over the water in Atlantic City, New Jersey, July 15, 2025. Thousands packed the beach or lined the boardwalk in Atlantic City on Saturday, May 30, 2026 to watch the military jets and stunt pilots put on a thrilling performance, which included turns, loops, high-speed passes, hovers and other tricks. (Alex Cadavid/U.S. Air National Guard)
ATLANTIC CITY (Tribune News Service) — Jackson Daubert received a great eighth-grade graduation gift Saturday afternoon.
The 14-year-old watched one of his favorite aviation crews — the United States Air Force F-22 Raptor Demo Team — perform live at the second-annual Soar & Shore Airshow.
Daubert was very excited as the loud roars of aircraft echoed in the resort’s skies.
“I mean, I kind of liked them for a while, but I really started to gain interest in it at the end of seventh grade,” said Daubert, who did an aerodynamic experiment last year with rockets, “which really got me interested in rockets and planes and stuff.”
The airshow was free, but spectators had the option to pay for upgraded seating, which included prime viewing options, shaded seating, drinks and access to private restrooms. The tents were located at the front of Bally’s Atlantic City between Michigan Avenue and Park Place.
The airshow will continue from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Jackson was one of the hundreds in the VIP area, Saturday.
“We thought this would be a great opportunity to be on the beach,” said Ashley Daubert, Jackson’s mom. Mike and BettyAnn Daubert, Ashley’s parents, were also there.
“It’s a beautiful day. Great day with family,” added Ashley, a Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, resident.
Thousands packed the beach or lined the boardwalk to watch the military jets and stunt pilots put on a thrilling performance, which included turns, loops, high-speed passes, hovers and other tricks.
“A lot of people here, but it looks like a lot of people who are excited to have a great day,” Ashley said.
The airshow also featured presentations by the U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II Demo Team, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons Demo Team and performances from civilian pilots. The event was presented by Visit Atlantic City.
“I have loved airshows ever since I was a little kid,” said Ted Wozniak, who has been to airshows the last 10 years Atlantic City has hosted them. The Delaware resident has been to many others, but he said the resort is unique.
“The lineup is always typically very good here,” said Wozniak, noting the F-35B is very rare to see live. “Some other airshows are cool, but it’s like the same stuff every year, and you got the beach here.”
Colin Wozniak said the atmosphere lends itself to a unique experience.
“I have been to a lot of airshows. The sound over the water is very different,” he said. “It’s louder and much cooler.”
Major Ethan Glover is one of the members on the F-22 Raptor Demo Team. The 32-year-old has flown at multiple airshows, but mostly at airports and not on the beach.
“Being on a beach is totally different than doing it at an airport,” the Auburn, California, resident said. “Sometimes you get a lot better vapes off the aircraft over the water with some of the moisture in the air. So it’s really cool to do it out over the water out here.”
Glover’s wife, Julianna, is from Mullica Hill, Gloucester County. Most of her family were on the beach watching the show, he said. The F-22 wowed with many tricks, like doing flares over the ocean.
“I am super excited to be here,” said Glover, noting his wife never saw one of his shows. “I need to shout out everyone putting on the show. It’s been very hospitable, and we are happy to be here.”
The inaugural event was launched last July after the Greater Atlantic City Chamber announced there would not be an Atlantic City Airshow. The Chamber, which organized the airshow since its inception, also canceled the event in 2024.
David Schultz Airshows, which produced the Atlantic City Airshow from 2003-2023, now runs the Thunder Over the Waves Airshow in Wildwood. The Wildwood show, in its second year, will be held Sept. 12-13.
The September mood in Wildwood soars with city’s first airshow
Saturday was the debut of the Thunder Over the Waves Airshow. And the beach full of residents enjoying locals summer mixed with visitors made for a crowd that rivaled many of this summer’s busiest weekends.
Visit AC President and CEO Gary Musich said the event drew 150,000 guests last year, and he expects more after the three-day event concludes. He said hotels in the resort are sold out.
“We are driving a lot of people in town,” Musich said.
The event kicked off Friday with a practice session, and there was a meet-and-greet with the pilots.
“There’s a lot of people here,” said Musich, who estimated 200,000-plus people will attend in total.
Christian Brown and Jim Ulrich have been to multiple airshows, and they do their own camera work. Brown has an aviation page on social media, and Ulrich helps with the photos.
The 16-year-old Medford residents set up early Saturday and were in a prime spot.
“It’s entertaining. It’s rewarding,” Ulrich said. “It’s a fun day. A lot of great planes. A great lineup.”
Brown said his grandfather worked on planes, and that influenced his love. He said he plans to be a pilot when he gets older, “because aviation is in my family.”
The two friends were with Ulrich’s parents, Jim Sr. and Rhonda, and will be back Sunday.
“It’s just fun,” Brown said. “Something different. You don’t see fighter jets every day, so whenever I get the chance, I go out.”
John and Sandy Ferko, of Red Bank, Monmouth County, never saw an airshow, but stayed at Caesars Atlantic City on Friday night and decided to buy VIP tickets.
“It’s one of those things we always wanted to do, so that’s why we are doing it,” John said.
Sandy enjoyed watching the fighter jets, especially when the military planes were in formation.
“I can’t believe the amount of people here,” she added. “And it’s perfect weather.”
Seeing all the happy faces pleased Ryan Schriver, who is a student pilot with the Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II Demo Team. The 31-year-old didn’t fly the aircraft, but he loved just seeing the action.
“It’s pretty cool, man. It’s pretty cool,” said Schriver, a Mullica Hill, Gloucester County, resident who has been to Atlantic City airshows since he was a little kid. “It’s a great time. I grew up coming here, so it’s cool to be a part of it now.”
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