It's time -- the two-day Arctic Thunder Air Show that draws tens of thousands of Alaskans is here.

Performances by the Blue Angels and the Canadian Forces Snowbirds on Saturday and Sunday at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson will be among the highlights of the show put on by the U.S. Army and Navy.

Beyond flight demonstrations, the show will feature hang glider and parachute demonstrations, chances to check out Army and Navy planes and a concert by the Army and Navy bands on Saturday.

Gates open at 9 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday, and the show will go until 6 p.m. Be prepared for crowds. Last year, 175,000 people attended the event over three days. Demonstrations begin at 10 a.m.

Schedule of events

(Saturday and Sunday)

9 a.m.: Gates open

9:47 a.m.: Elmendorf Third Wing Aerial Show

10:07 a.m.: Parachute Demo

10:37 a.m. - 11:21 a.m.: Civilian Acts

11:31 a.m.: AV-8B Harrier Demo

11:46 a.m.: B-52 Fly-By

12:28 p.m.: Parachute Demo

12:58 p.m. - 1:16 p.m.: Civilian Acts

1:28 p.m.: Canadian Snowbirds

2:08 p.m.: Civilian act

2:26 p.m.: Alaska Joint Forces Demo

3:13 p.m.: F-22 and C-17 Demo

3:45 p.m.: U.S. Navy Blue Angels

5 p.m.: U.S. Army and Navy bands - Saturday only

6 p.m.: Show closes

For any questions about the event, call

(907) 552-SHOW

What to bring

• Comfortable shoes

• Folding chairs

• Cameras

• Binoculars

• Ear plugs

• Cash

Don't bring

• Coolers

• Backpacks larger than 20 inches by 12 inches

• Helium balloons

• Pets

• Weapons

• Bikes