Pensacola’s Favorite Morning Is Back + Things to Do

The Opening Line

Good morning, Pensacola. We have the full Blue Angels practice schedule broken down for you with helpful tips. Also, keep scrolling for this month’s adoptable dog and cat of the month, what to do the next few weeks, and live music nearby. Thank you for reading and sharing.

In today’s line:

The Digest - Blue Angels viewing
What’s Happening Around Town - St. Patrick’s Day and more
Adoptable Dog and Cat of the Month - Wynter and Ebony
Live Music - Vince Gill and The Bennet Hall Band

If you own a local business and want to reach engaged readers in the Pensacola area, we offer section sponsorships. Just hit reply or reach us at [email protected].

- The Bay Line Crew

The Digest

The 2026 practice schedule for the Blue Angels is officially out, and if you live anywhere near Pensacola, this is one of those things worth planning ahead for. Base website here. For information on shows, not practice dates, check the Blue Angels website here. Pensacola Air show dates for 2026 are July 18 and November 6-7.

Practices are held at Naval Air Station Pensacola, with public viewing at the National Naval Aviation Museum. The flight typically starts at 10:30 a.m., and public access to the base is available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through the West Gate on Blue Angel Parkway only.

Here are the scheduled practice dates:

March
31

April
1*, 7, 8*, 14, 15*, 21, 22*, 28, 29*

May
5, 6*, 12, 13*, 27*

June
2, 3*, 9, 10*, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30

July
1, 21, 22*, 28

August
26*

September
1, 9*, 15, 22

October
14*, 20, 28*

Dates marked with an asterisk include autograph sessions inside the museum after practice.

Every visitor 18 and older must show a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or a valid passport to enter. All vehicles and individuals are subject to security searches and background checks.

You cannot bring firearms or knives, even with a concealed carry permit. No backpacks or coolers are allowed, unless it is a diaper bag or medically necessary bag, and those are subject to search. No alcohol. No drones. No boats or boat trailers. Visitors with felony convictions are not authorized base access.

Here are a few practical tips:

Arrive early. Parking fills up quickly, especially in spring.
Bring sunscreen. There is very little shade.
Expect traffic when leaving. It backs up fast once practice ends.
Check the morning of for weather updates, as flights can be shortened or canceled.

If you have never gone, it is one of those very “Pensacola” mornings that still impresses. If you have never seen them or have seen them 100 times, it is amazing to see the power and precision in person. If you have friends visiting this spring, pick a March or April date now before the heat really settles in.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They’re just the things you need to know. I’ll always let you know when something’s sponsored.

Around Town

Gulf Coast Renaissance Fair - March 7-8- At Five Points Speedway. We have not been to this event but it looks like they are trying to have something for everyone with the standard Renaissance fair, Wild West round up, and Pirate Fest. It is a ticketed event. Looks like $20 (or $35 for the weekend) for adults and $10 (or $15 for the weekend) for kids.

West Florida Fire and Nature Festival - March 7, 9am-3pm - Family-friendly event at UWF Nature Trail that is designed to help kids and adults learn how prescribed fire helps protect forests, wildlife, and communities.

Sun Belt Conference Basketball Championships - March 3-9 - at the Pensacola Bay Center in Pensacola, Fla. All 14 conference teams will compete in the single-elimination tournament, with the winner receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

St. Patrick’s Cookie Decorating Class - The Makery - March 11, 6-7:45 pm - 4857 W. Spencerfield Rd. Pace. This class is for all beginner cookie decorators, no experience necessary. You will be walking through decorating these five adorable St. Patty's Day themed cookies together step by step.

Sheriff’s Rodeo - March 13-14 - 8525 Bobby Brown Rd, Milton - Gates open at 5pm - This rodeo is at the Santa Rosa County Fairgrounds. Tickets are $15 presale or $20 at the gate. All the usual rodeo events and entertainment in addition to a demonstration from the county’s K-9 unit.

Herd and Harvest Market - March 14, 11am-8pm - Grand Opening Celebration - McFadyen Manor Homestead - 6586 Caroline St., Milton.

Rogers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma - March 13 and 15 - Saenger Theatre - Dance back in time to the American Wild West with Oklahoma!–a classic, feel-good musical that follows the blossoming love story between farm girl Laurey and charming cowboy Curly as they navigate rival suitors and the challenges of frontier life.

Arts, Crafts and Culture Festival - March 14, 9am-4:30pm - 4750 Willard Norris Rd, Milton, FL - Arts & crafts vendors, food trucks, tours of Native American Cultural Center and Native American Roundhouse and traditional Creek stomp dancing.

Turfgrass 101 - March 17, 10 am - UF IFAS Santa Rosa County Master Gardeners - 6263 Dogwood Drive, Milton - Learn all things turfgrass in this lecture series presented by Master Gardeners Sarah Hurd and Kenny Weber.

Resin Table Workshop - March 21 and 22, 1pm - Flip Flops on Palafox - $90 per student. Design and create your own custom resin side table.

Santa Rosa Beekeepers - March 19th, 6-8pm - March Meeting - 6263 Dogwood Dr., Milton. Jimmy Davis, the state apiary inspector, will share insights on the latest hot topics in beekeeping.

Gulf Breeze Festival of the Arts - March 28-29, 10am-4pm - This event hosts 100+ local, regional and national fine artists, a Local Artists Art Show, a Silent Auction, Student Art Show and food vendors. They have live artist demonstrations and children’s activities.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They’re just the things you need to know. I’ll always let you know when something’s sponsored.

Dog and Cat of the Month

Once a month we want to share a local shelter dog and cat available for adoption.

Wynter is a cutie. She is 27.5 lbs and is just over a year old. We couldn't find out much more about her but she deserves a great home. Give the shelter a call or stop by to learn more. She is at the Santa Rosa County Animal Shelter. 4451 Pine Forest Rd. Milton, FL 32583. 850-983-4680.

Ebony is a spayed female, black Domestic Shorthair located at Redfox’s Animal Rescue. Ebony is a very sweet, affectionate, lap cat and loves belly rubs. She loves her humans! They would like for her to go into a single pet household with no dogs, no cats, and older children only. She can be very playful, especially with a toy dangling on a stick/wand. The shelter would also consider a temporary foster home for her while they look for a permanent one. Approximately three years young. Call Susan at 850.281.5557 (No Texts Please) or submit her online application: https://form.jotform.com/adoptarescue/cat-adoptionfoster-application