Annual Blues Angels Week Festivities at Museum Aug. 4 - 7

Special events, extended Museum hours, close-up views of Navy flight team

SEATTLE, July 28, 2011--The world-famous U.S. Navy Blue Angels star in the Boeing Air Show at Seafair's Albert Lee Cup hydroplane races. The Museum of Flight is again Blue Angels' headquarters during the team's entire Seafair stay. Museum hours will be extended - opening one hour earlier - Friday Aug. 5 through Sunday, Aug. 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Indoor programs are free with Museum admission.

Museum visitors will be able see the jets up close from Thursday, Aug. 4 through Sunday, Aug. 7. Activities include the team's precise pre-flight walkdowns, thrilling formation takeoffs and the chance to see some of the Navy's finest pilots as they return from their practice sessions and show performances.

Wells Fargo Free First Thursday

Thursday, Aug. 4, 5 to 9 p.m.

Once a month, the Museum stays open late - for free. Enjoy the Museum's Great Gallery, Airpark, Personal Courage Wing, the new Soaring at Sea: 100 Years of Naval Aviation exhibit and more from 5 to 9 p.m., courtesy of Wells Fargo. Museum Store and Wings Café will also remain open for the extended hours on this night.

Bank of America Weekend Family Workshop

August 5 through 7, Noon to 3 p.m.

Blue Angels Mania!

We've got the blues...but we're happy about it! Once again the spectacular Blue Angels are visiting Seattle and The Museum of Flight. In celebration, all Blues fans are invited to stop by the Museum's activity area to make fabulous Blue Angels souvenirs.

Lecture and Book Signing

Sled Driver

Blackbird Pilot Brian Shul

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Aug. 5 through 7, 2:30 p.m.

Photographer, author, pilot and showman Brian Shul shares stories and photos from his experience as a "sled driver" - an SR-71 Blackbird pilot. The presentation is based upon his book, "Sled Driver," which features Shul's dazzling photography and insightful prose to illustrate what it is like to fly the world's fastest, highest-flying jet, the SR-71 Blackbird. Shul's program includes riveting accounts of Mach 3 runs over hostile territory and stargazing at 80,000 feet. This marks the 19th year Shul has appeared at the Museum during Blue Angels week. Shul has also traveled the air show circuit with the Blue Angels for his book "Blue Angels: A Portrait of Gold." The program is free with admission to the Museum.

Museum of Flight News Releases

Access this and all other Museum of Flight news releases online at:

www.museumofflight.org/press/archives  

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The non-profit Museum of Flight is one of the largest independent air and space museums in the world. The Museum's collection includes more than 150 historically significant air- and spacecraft, as well as the William E. Boeing Red Barn^® -- the original manufacturing facility of the Boeing Co. The Airpark includes outdoor displays with the first jet Air Force One, a Concorde airliner, and the first Boeing 747 jumbo jet. The Museum aeronautical library and archival holdings are the largest on the West Coast. The Education Office offers weekend family programs, programs for students and educators, and overnight camps for children. McCormick & Schmick's Wings Café is on site.

The Museum of Flight is located at 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle, Exit 158 off Interstate 5 on Boeing Field half-way between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $16 for adults, $14 for seniors 65 and older, $13 for active military, $9 for youth 5 to 17, and free for children under 5. Group rates are available. Admission on the first Thursday of the month is free from 5 to 9 p.m. courtesy of Wells Fargo. For general Museum information, please call 206-764-5720 or visit

www.museumofflight.org