Nantucket Residents Must Leave Homes And Businesses In The Name Of Airshow Security

When the Navy's Blue Angels pay a call on the Nantucket Air Show next weekend, a lot of people will stop and watch one of the most incredible aerial demonstration teams in the world.

And a few might be shaking their fists.

The FAA and the Navy have declared a slice of the island's south shore as a "sterile zone," according to the Cape Cod Inquirer & Mirror. In an area about a half-mile wide by a mile-and-three-quarters long, everybody has to leave or the show will not go on.

Eight residences and four business that surround the airport have been ordered evacuated during the air show for security reasons. Only show workers and attendees will be allowed.

It's the second time this summer that security concerns have overshadowed an air show in the US. The Cleveland National Air Show, a 40-year Labor Day tradition, was forced to curtail its first night of performances because the Indians were playing baseball at nearby Jacobs Field.

Back on Nantucket, air show organizers offered displaced residents free VIP passes.

"I love the Blue Angels, but I was disappointed to have to leave my house because I have the perfect view," said airport neighbor Nancy Nelson. "At first I said, 'You can't make me leave,' but I got over that. Once I understood that they needed that window around the airport, it made sense to me."

Airport Manager Al Peterson told the paper that the residences and businesses would be blocked off for about ten hours over four days -- two for practice, two for show.

Peterson says that's the attitude most of the evictees are taking. "Everyone's been very cooperative," he told the paper. "To quote the FAA, during aerial demonstrations that include high-speed demanding maneuvers, to ensure safety, the FAA requires a sterile area."

Business owners affected by the order to evacuate were equally willing to cooperate for a chance to see the Blue Angels.

"Let's put it this way, how often is this going to happen?" said Victor Petkauskos, the owner of Victor Paving, in an interview with the Inquiror & Mirror. "If it's an inconvenience for a few hours, hey, whatever. We can work around it. This is going to be a community thing so a little inconvenience is not a big deal."

"We'll work around it. They gave us plenty of notice," said Linda Yates, the secretary of Yates Gas. "It doesn't make a difference for us. We'll cooperate."

The feds have also asked local police to clear a segment of the beach that falls in the sterile zone, as well as secure the air show perimeter.

"It's kind of an overwhelming thing," Nantucket police Lt. Jerry Adams told the paper. "We think we'll have between 5,000 and 10,000 (spectators) per day. We'll make sure everyone gets to their parking OK, and provide perimeter security along with supplemental law enforcement including the state police and the Environmental Police."

Ironically, the only objections to the Blue Angels' performance at Nantucket is Cape Air, which provides scheduled passenger service to the airport.

"We love aviation, that's why we're in the business, and we know that the Blue Angels will be a fabulous show, but the closings will have an incredible impact on our airline," Cape Air spokeswoman Michelle Haynes told the Inquirer & Mirror. "Maybe everyone is so excited about it they won't mind being delayed, but right now we have five weddings that we're flying that are booked and those people are leaving on Sunday. Logistically, we're still trying to figure out how to do it, but we're just concerned for our passengers, especially those with connecting flights."

FMI: www.blueangels.navy.mil