Gulf Coast Salute Air Show Guide

Panama City Beach, FL– The City of Panama City Beach is proud to sponsor and welcome everyone to the Gulf Coast Salute Air Show!

We do expect large crowds at this event so the Panama City Beach Police Department put together some information to help make your experience more enjoyable.

First, the show is over three days – Friday through Sunday, May 3-5 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day at the Russell-Fields City Pier at Pier Park. The Friday event is a rehearsal, but it will be to air show standards. Attending Friday might be a great way to avoid the larger weekend crowds.

Viewing is on the sandy portion of the beach at the City Pier, and about a half mile on either side of the pier. Basically, the area from around State Road 79 to Gulf Boulevard. Seating is on the sand, so bring a towel or a folding chair.

In terms of Parking, the only city designated parking for this event is on the grassy fields behind Aaron Bessant Park. This parking lot opens at 6 a.m. each day. Parking attendants will be on site. You can only access the parking and the air show from Panama City Beach Parkway, as a portion of Front Beach Road will be closed. There is no overnight parking at Aaron Bessant or Pier Park.

Parking will be scarce for this event. Wherever you park, remember you cannot park:

• Within 20 feet of any intersection
• Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant
• On sidewalks or in crosswalks
• On bike paths
• Or in construction zones

We highly recommend using ride share or car pooling to the event. If you are walking to the show, all pedestrians must use crosswalks; police will be on Panama City Beach Parkway at Pier Park Drive and at the Powell Adams Road intersection to assist pedestrians.

Front Beach Road will be closed from Powell Adams Road to just west of West Park Drive during all three days from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pier Park Drive, L.C. Hilton Drive, and West Park Drive inside Pier Park will be closed for the entire event.

Please remember the Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally is going on at the same time as the air show. Anticipate lengthy traffic delays on Panama City Beach Parkway. There will be congestion at major intersections to include Nautilus Street, Gulf Boulevard, Hills Road, Powell Adams Road, and Pier Park Drive.

During the event, parking lot capacity, traffic conditions and other updates will be provided through our media partners, the City’s social media pages, and the Alert Bay App. Electronic message signs will be installed at multiple intersections including State Road 79, north of Philip Griffitts Sr. Parkway, at PCB Parkway east of Hills Road, on Front Beach Road at Winn fixie and Front Beach at the All American Diner. You can text PCBairshow to 888777 to sign up for updates.  

For a list of all the civilian and military demonstrations, and more information, go to Visit Panama City Beach.