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Lauderdale Air Show Takes Flight This Weekend

FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – The highly anticipated and newly renamed Lauderdale Air Show takes to the skies this weekend. The crowds will be plentiful and so will security.

Visitors shouldn't be alarmed when they see extra police officers at the event. Fort Lauderdale PD has said all week they would step up security in the wake of Monday's Boston bombings.

In addition, air show organizers are donating ten dollars from every ticket sold this week to the victims in Boston.

The Friday Night Take Off Party kicks off air show weekend poolside at the Marriott Harbor Beach. Visitors can meet the pilots and jumpers and see the U.S. Army Silver Wings perform a twilight jump over the beach and land on the terrace deck of the hotel.

Saturday and Sunday, the Air Show launches at 1 p.m. and features aerobatic performers and aircraft demonstrations.

Although the famed U.S. Air Force's Thunderbirds won't be at the Air Show this year because of federal budget cuts, organizers landed the Parachute Acrobatic Patrol of the Spanish Air Force.

The Lucas Oil Parachute Team and U.S. Army Silver Wings skydiving teams will also be performing at the show.  Other scheduled performers include the Black Diamond Jet Team, Geico Skytypers, Red Bull Helicopter, Air Hogs Stunt Plane, Aerobatic champion Mike Wiskus in the Lucas Oil Pitts, and a P-51 Mustang.

The Display Village will open at 9:00 a.m. while the show takes place from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

The main gate for ticket holders is located at Sunrise Boulevard and A1A and the premium viewing area is located from Sunrise Boulevard north to NE 14th Court. Tickets for this area start at $35.00.

There are plenty of road closures so Sun Trolley is offering convenient and inexpensive transportation to and from the beach from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

For complete Sun Trolley maps and routes, visit www.suntrolley.com.

Ticket holders are not allowed to bring alcohol inside the designated Drop Zone and Family Zone areas. There will be "cooler and bag check point locations" at:

  • Northeast 14th Court / State Road A1A (northern entrance to Show Center)
  • Sunrise Boulevard / Sunrise Lane (main entrance to Show Center)
  • Vistamar Street and State Road A1A (southern entrance to Show Center).

Any  non-alcoholic  beverages  should  be  in  plastic,  aluminum  or  other  unbreakable containers.  Glass containers are prohibited beachside.

Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase in the Family Zone which is located south of Sunrise Boulevard to Vistamar Street. It's the closest free admission viewing area to Show Center.

Spectators are allowed to bring small canopies (tents without sides), no larger than 10x10, to the beach viewing area. These canopies are only permitted along the dune line of the beach, which is located along the concrete barrier wall and sea grass line.

There is a boat safety zone for watercraft which extends 2 nautical miles by 4 nautical miles off shore from show center at Sunrise Blvd. and A1A.

For more information on the boat safety zone, tickets, and the show, go to www.lauderdaleairshow.com.

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