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  • Cindy Neubecker, of Hersey, and her husband, Paul, watch the U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform from the Open Space on Sunday afternoon. Jan-Michael Stump/JAN-MICHAEL STUMP

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  • Thousands of spectators watch the U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform over West Grand Traverse Bay on Sunday. Jan-Michael Stump/JAN-MICHAEL STUMP

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  • Britany Patton, 15, and Sky Bunker, 10, of Wolverine, watch the U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform over West Grand Traverse Bay on Sunday afternoon. Jan-Michael Stump/JAN-MICHAEL STUMP

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July 5, 2010

Blue Angels: 'It's a tradition for us'

BY ART BUKOWSKI abukowski@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — David Taylor and family unloaded chairs and other supplies from their vehicle in preparation for the National Cherry Festival's popular air show.

Taylor and his wife, Carolyn, had their two children and Carolyn's mother in tow. The Taylors, of Grand Haven, always make it up for the air show when the U.S. Navy Blue Angels are in town.

"We feel it's a tradition for us," Carolyn said. "It's a great thing."

Young Casey Taylor, 7, was visibly antsy as his parents prepped for the short walk down to the bay.

"They're so loud and noisy," he said of the famous blue and yellow jets. "I hope my baby sister doesn't cry."

Thousands upon thousands of people lined Grand Traverse Bay on Sunday to watch the Blue Angels perform on the second consecutive day of gorgeous — but hot — weather. Many families near and far make a tradition out of traveling to Traverse City for the famed Angels, who appear every other Cherry Festival.

"Every time the Blue Angels are here, I'm here, whether he's here or not," Big Rapids-area resident Sue Murtland said, smiling as she gestured to her husband, Warren. "They're just amazing."

The Murtlands camped under the shade of a large tree along the bay to await the show.

"It's just a perfect setting," Sue said.

Tom Rutz, 47, father Ron Rutz, 74, and other family members also took advantage of a large shade tree. Tom has lived in Louisiana for about 25 years, and Ron lives in the Detroit area. The family converges on Ron's cottage in Buckley for the Fourth of July every year, and they love to take in the air show.

"You can't beat it," Tom said of the show's setting on the bay. "There's no substitute for the beauty of the clear water and blue skies. And it's free, that's a good thing, too."

Rick Bookheimer and family, of Onekama, gathered along the bayfront in plenty of time to secure good seats. Bookheimer's wife, Chris, thinks it's remarkable that Traverse City gets the Blue Angels every other year on the nation's biggest patriotic holiday.

"Our whole country, and we got 'em," she said. "That's amazing. Very amazing."

The Muncie, Ind., family of Paul Marshall waded into the crowd decked out in Purdue University gear. It was their first trip to the Cherry Festival and to Traverse City, and they were pumped for the Angels.

"We're kind of excited to see what they do," Marshall said.

If they're sufficiently impressed, Marshall said they might make the trip a regular thing.

Kingsley residents Tony and Kelly Saxton have for years attended the air show when the Blue Angels rotate in. Their daughter, Kelsey, 3, attended the last show, but was far too young to remember it.

But she nevertheless was excited as she waited for the show, and evidently already has a career path planned.

"She said she wants to be a Blue Angel so she could fly like them," Kelly said.

Former Bellaire residents Kevin Vliet and Amy Fifelski now live in Lansing, but they were in town for the Blue Angels show. Living downstate made them appreciate the bayfront setting even more.

"You take it for granted living up here until you move away," Fifelski said.

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