With sunny skies and warm temperatures ahead, it’s a perfect weekend for the Ocean City Air Show to kick off its eighth year in the resort town.

The show is visible throughout the entire Boardwalk and spectators can see the show free of charge, or get VIP seating.

This year history will be made! The first female to ever fly with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels will be at the air show.

Marine Capt. Katie Higgins is a third generation military aviator. She is originally from Severna Park, Md. She graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, went to Georgetown University to obtain a Masters in International Security, and then started flight school training in Pensacola, Fla.

She is one of three Blue Angel pilots who fly the C-130 Hercules, known as “Fat Albert.” Higgins will take the controls during the Ocean City show.

“We are excited to welcome Katie to Ocean City and we know all of Maryland is proud of her,” said Bryan Lilley, President of the OC Air Show. “She will add even more excitement to this amazing lineup with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the Breitling Jet Team, and the F-22 Raptor Demo Team. Those are three of the biggest acts in the air show industry, all performing in the same year.”

Katie has flown almost 400 combat hours in support of numerous operations and exercises in Afghanistan, Djibouti, France, Greece, South Sudan, Spain, and Uganda.

According to the air show officials, Katie joined the Blue Angels in September 2014 and she has accumulated more than 1,000 flight hours. Her decorations include five Air Medals, and various unit and personal awards.

We were able to speak to Larry Layton, the owner of Layton’s Family Restaurant in Ocean City, who has been around the O.C. Air Show since its start in the town. Layton said it is incredible to see how much it has grown over the years and that he is happy to be a sponsor and provide complimentary meals to all those involved.

Saturday Sequence of Flight

The OC Air Show flight performances will begin at noon on Saturday centered at 16th street on the Boardwalk. The sequence of performers is as follows: