Florida Credit Union - Heart of Florida Airshow returns April 14 & 15
Airshow officials announce new sponsors and line-up of performers.
After a 19-month hiatus, the Gainesville Regional Airport will again be the site of the Heart of Florida Airshow-this time with a name sponsor, Florida Credit Union. Last held in September 2005, this highly successful community event returns with more acts, more displays, and more family entertainment.
The event also returns with more sponsors.
Gainesville Regional Airshow Consortium (GRAC), the nonprofit group that promotes aviation and Gainesville Regional Airport, also announced today that more than $300,000 in cash and in-kind support has been raised and committed to by both returning and new event sponsors to support the Florida Credit Union Heart of Florida Airshow. All funds raised to support the air show are to help underwrite show expenses while raising funds for local nonprofit groups and designated charities.
James Gallagher, this year's chair, noted that the 2005 Heart of Florida Airshow had distributed more than $30,000 in surplus funds to six different groups upon completion of the event and many other groups received funds from volunteering with concessionaires. "We hope to build on that number this year," he said.
The two-day event will showcase some of the most spectacular aerobatic performers in the United States. There will be acts to amaze and delight everyone. Gates will open at 10:30 AM each day and the flying will go on until late in the afternoon. Parking lots are scheduled to open at 8:30 AM daily.
Radio-controlled jets which can achieve speeds of 200 mph and sky-divers will open the show. Acts will range from the most basic aircraft, the hang glider, to some of the fastest and loudest aircraft our military has to offer.
Airshow staff just received confirmation that the US Air Force will send its Viper East 5-16 Demo Team to perform at this year's show.
Headline acts include former US Aerobatic Champion, Patty Wagstaff from St. Augustine. Three-time US Champion Gene Soucy will perform in his famed AgCat which also features America's favorite wing walker, Theresa Stokes. Jim LeRoy and Jurgis Kairys will maneuver their planes so that even the most seasoned air show buffs will shake their heads in amazement! Manfred Radius will attempt in his glider, while upside down, to cut a ribbon 12 feet off the ground and then land. Otto the helicopter will again delight and amuse children.
Speaking of children, a new area just for them and free of charge will provide plenty of entertainment. All the attractions have an aviation theme. Also added to this year's air show are misting and water stations provided by Quality Plumbing. According to air show chair James Gallagher, "We certainly hope not to have the same extreme temperatures we had at the 2005 show, hosting the event in April should help, but in case we have heat issues, we've added misting stations with free water at the site."
On the ground, airplane exhibits-known as static displays-will demonstrate all phases of aviation. Scheduled for close up viewing will be the newest and most popular private aircraft as well as larger luxurious executive jets. Civilian and military helicopters, and many current and previous generation military planes will also be on display.
Vendors will have plenty of food and beverages on hand to satisfy every taste. Spectators will also be able to purchase all types of aviation memorabilia.
Advance sales tickets will be available on line at www.gainesvilleairshow.com as well as all Gator Domino's Pizza outlets in the Gainesville area.
Prices pre-show are:
Prices day-of-show are:
All tickets include free parking and shuttle service from parking areas to the main entry gates, though spectators may walk if they choose to do so.
2007 Florida Credit Union Heart of Florida Airshow Sponsors as of February 20, 2007: Florida Credit Union, name sponsor. Also: Gainesville Harley-Davidson & Buell, WSKY & WKTK, Cox Communications, Gainesville Sun, Palm Chrysler/Subaru, Shands HealthCare, Acceleration.net, Palm Chevrolet, Gainesville Regional Airport, RW Armstrong & Associates, Inc., Scherer Construction, Allicorp Management Corporation McDonald's Restaurants, Asterisk Communications, CBS 4, Gator Domino's Pizza, Brasington Cadillac-Saab, Best Western Gateway Grand, University Air, Coca-Cola, ProGifts, and Quality Plumbing.
The Florida Credit Union Heart of Florida Airshow is sponsored in part by the Gainesville Sports Commission through grants supplied through the Alachua County Visitors and Convention Bureau and the City of Gainesville.
