MUSKEGON, Mich. — An all-woman skydiving team will be opening Wings Over Muskegon with a "flag drop," the Michigan Flight Museum & Air Adventures announced Thursday.
The Misty Blues All-Woman Skydiving Team began in the early 1980s and although it's based in Ann Arbor, it's comprised of women from across the country. Members from the club perform at air shows, corporate events and other special occasions.
The group can be identified by their bright pink and blue parachutes and jumpsuits.
There will be four skydivers from The Misty Blues at the show on Aug. 9, all averaging more than 2,000 jumps each.
Stacey Roberts has been working with The Misty Blues since 2014 and did her first show as a jumper in 2019.
She said during the season the team does flag training, smoke training and even pyrotechnic training.
When they do a flag drop at a show, Roberts said the American flag is attached to their gear. With the container that holds the flag and the weights attached to the bottom, it ends up weighing about 58 pounds.
Roberts said her favorite part of jumping at shows is when they're back on the ground meeting the crowd.
"I love going out and meeting the kids and just seeing the excitement and hoping that somebody has a glimmer of hope of doing anything aviation-related," Roberts said. "Sure, the jumps are fun and great, but it's just getting out and meeting the crowd."
Roberts said she started skydiving when she was 37 and she hopes their shows help encourage women to give it a try, no matter their age.
"We really love encouraging the girls and the women," Roberts said. "We come across some ladies in their 80s that are like, 'It's on my bucket list,' and it's like, go out and do it. Just go. It's once in a lifetime. If it's ever on your bucket list, you should do it."
Once the flag is dropped and the show is started, there will be numerous performances before it ends on Aug. 11.
The first new act, husband and wife duo Kyle and Liz Franklin, will take comedy to the skies with "Franklin's Flying Circus."
Two fighter aircraft from different eras and countries will also take part in the show.
Previously announced performers in the air show include the Farewell Tour of the U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II, GhostWriter Airshows, the Hot Streak II Jet Truck and local formation team The Hooligans.
Debuting at this year's show is the Friday Twilight Show Presented by Howmet Aerospace. Gates will open at 5 p.m. on Aug. 9 and there will be live music from Yard Sale Underwear. The aerial performances will be designed for twilight conditions.
There will be food trucks at the air show, as well as beverages including beer, wine and cocktails available for purchase.
There are a variety of ticket options available which can be found here. All tickets must be purchased online, including parking for Saturday and Sunday.
Kids ages 15 and younger can get into the event for free.
