KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — East Tennessee will soon be filled with the roar of jet engines when the region's largest air show returns for the first time in six years.
The 2022 Smoky Mountain Air Show will return to McGhee Tyson Airport on September 10 and 11.
On Wednesday, the air show announced the full lineup of performers, which will include both the world-famous U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team.
The U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team will also perform along with other stunt and vintage aircraft teams from the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, Commemorative Air Force, Greg Koontz Airshows, and Younkin Airshows.
Parking passes and premium viewing tickets are now on sale at this link. Entry to the show is free, but a parking pass will run $75 per vehicle. Parking locations will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. You can click here for more parking information.
Due to potential rain in the area during the weekend, parking passes are now valid for either Saturday, Sunday, or both. If you already purchased a parking pass, it's now valid for either or both days of the show.
Parking will open each day at 7 a.m., with gates opening at 8 a.m. and performances beginning at noon. There will also be plenty of static aircraft displays, vendors, exhibits, and kid-friendly events that people can check out throughout the day until gates close at 5 p.m.
Organizers said a shuttle service will only be provided to people with accessible ADA parking passes. In order to park in those lots, you must specifically reserve an accessible parking pass and vehicles must display a current, official disabled person license plate or decal.
There will not be a shuttle service for the rest of the general public. Organizers said people should plan ahead to arrive early, saying it takes about 30 minutes to walk to the air show grounds.
“The last air show in East Tennessee was in 2016. With over 225,000 spectators, it was by far the most attended event in the entire East Tennessee region,” organizers said.