Here’s how to see the Thunderbirds and other events at Keesler AFB air show in April

Mary Perez
·2 min read

Thunder Over the Sound Air and Space Show later this month will take place at Keesler Air Force Base in the morning and move to the beach for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds’ show in the afternoon.

The two-day event April 29-30 is a partnership between the base and the city. Details about traffic, parking and performance times are still being finalized.

The Thunderbirds last performed in Biloxi in 2019, when thousands of people lined the beaches and were dazzled by the skills of the pilots, who zoomed overhead.

This year’s show is new and more exciting, said advance pilot/narrator Major Jeffrey “Simmer” Downie, and created with help from Disney executives.

“It opens with a bang, it’s got a lot of cloud noises, jet sneak passes, loops and rolls, just some really incredible maneuvers,” he said. “It’s a very coherent show, great music, just an incredible experience.”

Here is the schedule for Saturday and Sunday, April 29-30:

9 a.m. — Air show activities begin both days

Morning — At Keesler Air Force Base, featuring aerial performances, ground demonstrations, military aircraft on display, STEM Expo

Afternoon — U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds show over the Biloxi beach along U.S. 90. Time to be announced

The U.S. Air Force exhibition team Thunderbirds fly over the beaches in Biloxi April 29-30. The air show is jointly hosted by Biloxi and Keesler Air Force Base at the base and on the beach.
The U.S. Air Force exhibition team Thunderbirds fly over the beaches in Biloxi April 29-30. The air show is jointly hosted by Biloxi and Keesler Air Force Base at the base and on the beach.

Among the performances and displays at Keesler both days are:

  • Wings of Blue

  • Chefpitts

  • Radio controlled aircraft

  • Tora! Tora! Tora!

  • Trojan Phlyers

  • Patty Wagstaff

  • Acemaker Airshow,

  • Jet Provost Aaerobatic Airshows

  • Fighter Jets Inc.

  • Commemorative Air Force

The Budweiser Clydesdales will be in South Mississippi for the airshow and parades. The Clydesdales’ schedule includes:

April 26 — 6 p.m. parade in Bay St. Louis

April 27 — 6 p.m. parade in Ocean Springs

April 29-30 — Thunder Over the Sound air show at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi

The Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales make their way up Porter Street in Ocean Springs in this file photo. The team will be in South Mississippi for parades and the Thunder Over the Sound air show in April.
The Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales make their way up Porter Street in Ocean Springs in this file photo. The team will be in South Mississippi for parades and the Thunder Over the Sound air show in April.

The STEM Expo at Keesler Air Force Base will be open to JROTC and ROTC cadets, students in STEM programs at junior high and high schools, colleges, and other youth leadership programs from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday.

The STEM Expo will be open to everyone Saturday and Sunday.

To reserve a spot for the Friday expo — or for other air show questions — contact the 81st Training Wing Public Affairs office at 228 -77-2783 or e-mail 81trw.PAmain@us.af.mil.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly over the Mississippi Sound behind the iconic Biloxi Lighthouse during a practice session in 2019. They return to Biloxi April 29-30.
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly over the Mississippi Sound behind the iconic Biloxi Lighthouse during a practice session in 2019. They return to Biloxi April 29-30.
A Thunderbird F-16 aircraft is parked at the Combat Readiness Training Center at Gulfport International Airport. The Thunderbirds return to Biloxi to perform for the crowds April 29-30.
A Thunderbird F-16 aircraft is parked at the Combat Readiness Training Center at Gulfport International Airport. The Thunderbirds return to Biloxi to perform for the crowds April 29-30.