Lauderdale Air Show Guide
After a lengthy hiatus, military planes will once again take over the skies above Ft. Lauderdale Beach for the 2012 Lauderdale Air Show. Spectators will be awed by the marvel of flight as planes show off their slick maneuvers and sky divers leap from high speed jets.
The air show kicks off April 28 and runs through April 29 at the Show Center on Sunrise Boulevard and A1A in Fort Lauderdale.
This year the show will be headlined by the US Air Force Thunderbirds and will include bomber planes, the Navy Seals Leap Frogs, and the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles. Also on the lineup are civilian performers including the Black Diamond Jet Team and the Red Bull Air Force.
CBS4 has your guide to the 2012 Air Show to help you find everything from where to see the show, where to park, and how to get there.
Admission/Viewing
The aerial "football field" for the Lauderdale Air Show extends offshore from Oakland Park Boulevard to South Beach Park, the "end zones" of the event. With such an expansive location, spectators have multiple ways of seeing the show.
General Viewing
Free Admission to the Family Zone
The Family Zone runs adjacent to the shore line and is the closest free admission viewing area to the Show Center. Although no alcohol can be brought into this area, alcoholic beverages can be purchased there. Families are also allowed to bring coolers. Cooler checkpoints will be set up on Sunrise Boulevard just across the bridge and at Vista Mar on A1A by the Fort Lauderdale Police Department.
Premium Viewing Options
The Lauderdale Air Show offers three premium viewing options; unfortunately, two of the three have been sold out for Saturday and are only available for Sunday's show. The only one left for both days is the Bennett Auto Supply Drop Zone.
Bennett Auto Supply Drop Zone
1 Day Ticket $29
2 Day Ticket $48
Free for Age 5 and Under
This premium package includes views from the 50 yard line of the beach, concert quality sound and narration, food, beer, and wine for purchase, pilot/jumper autograph tent access, the official event program and a private kid's zone inflatable area.
Clubhouse Chalet
Saturday Ticket SOLD OUT
Sunday Ticket $129
The Clubhouse Chalet package offers box seating and a private beach area, clubhouse tent with covered seating, loop road parking in Birch State Park, catered grill lunch, soft drinks, water, and draft beer, an event T-shirt, credential, and program, pilot/jumper appearances, concert quality sound and narration and a private kid's zone inflatable area.
Colonel's Club VIP Viewing Stand
Saturday Ticket SOLD OUT
Sunday Ticket $219
With the Colonel's Club package, viewers pay for reserved premium box seating on a tiered viewing deck with an elevated covered platform, reserved B parking at Birch State Park, a catered lunch buffet, soft drinks, water, beer, and wine, an event t-shirt, hat, credential, and program, pilot/jumper appearances in tent, concert quality sound and narration, executive trailer restrooms on-site and a private kid's zone inflatable area.
Spectators also have the option of seeing a 270 degree panoramic view of the show from rooftop heights at the Pelican Perch and at B Ocean Resort, feet away from the Fort Lauderdale Beach Park.
The Pelican Perch Rooftop Viewing Deck
2000 North Ocean Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33305
(954)568-9431
One Day Access $239
This package includes piped in air show narration; catered lunch buffet, soft drinks, water, beer, and wine, a premium merchandise package including an official t-shirt, hat, and event credential and reserved parking at Birch State Park.
The Penthouse at B Ocean Resort
999 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33304
(954)564-1000
One Day Access $239
Show goers can get an eagle eye perspective of the show from the 11th floor penthouse. Ticket includes a catered lunch buffet, soft drinks, beer, wine, and open bar, piped in air show narration, an official air show polo shirt, t-shirt, hat and even credential and reserved parking at the Bonnet House.
Those who own a boat can watch the show from the water. Environmental regulations have become stricter regarding coral habitat. Because of this, boats must anchor further East this year. To hear the show's narration, spectators can purchase a WFTL 850 Air Show Radio receiver. Click here for more information regarding safety regulations and anchoring positions.
Drop Zone tickets can be purchased at any Bennett Auto Supply store or online. Click here to purchase tickets.
Parking
Day-of-event parking will be available at the Galleria Mall located at 2414 East Sunrise Boulevard for $20 per car per day. There is also parking available in municipal and private lots from Fort Lauderdale Beach Park to Oakland Park Blvd.
Disability parking will be available for $20 in the Southeast corner lot of Galleria Mall. A pay-per passenger shuttle will be provided to transport disabled spectators from NE 26th on A1A to Breakers Avenue.
Drop Zone tickets purchased online include a parking voucher that can be redeemed at Galleria Mall during the month of April for a reserved parking permit at 50% off the $20 on-site rate.
Parking at Birch State Park located on 3109 East Sunrise Boulevard is included with Clubhouse Chalet, Colonel's Club VIP, and Pelican Perch Rooftop Viewing Deck tickets.
Parking is reserved for the Penthouse at B Ocean Resort ticketholders at the Bonnet House located on 900 North Birch Road.
For a parking map, click here.
Bikes, Skateboards, Rollerblades
These are all permitted at the show except inside the Drop Zone of Family Zone. If you are going to enter either area you must leave your bicycle outside the fence.
Events
Thursday April 26th
7:00 p.m. Performer Welcome Party
Shooters Waterfront Café
3033 NE 32nd Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
(954) 566-2855
Welcome the pilots and jumpers of the 2012 Lauderdale Air Show at Shooters Waterfront Café hosted by Paul & Ron Young from BIG 105.9 Morning Show. The event is open to the public.
Friday April 27th
7:00 p.m. Air Show Take Off Party
Sea Level Restaurant
Marriott Harbor Beach
3030 Holiday Drive
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
(954) 525-4000
Watch the Navy Seals Parachute Team kick off the air show at the Air Show Take Off Party at the Sea Level Restaurant beachside at the Marriott Harbor Beach. The event is open to the public.
Saturday April 28th
9:00 a.m. Display Village, Drop Zone Premium Viewing opens
10:00 a.m. Clubhouse Chalet, Colonel's Club VIP Stand & Chalets open
12:00 p.m. Lauderdale Air Show 2012- Show Center at Sunrise Blvd & A1A
- 101st Airborne Flag Jump
- U.S. Navy Seals Leap Frogs
- Holland/Goulian head-to-head
- F-5 formation flight
- Mike Wiskus in the Lucas Oil Pitts
- Black Diamond Jet Team
- Rob Holland – 2011 Free Style Aerobatic Champion
- F-18 Hornet demo
- Mike Goulian in the Goodyear Extra 330SC
- B-1 Bomber 3-pass flight
- U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue demo
- Red Bull Helicopter, Air Force, Kirby Chambliss
- U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
4:00 p.m. Air Show After Party – Open to the public – Sunrise Village at the Sandbar
7:00 p.m. Performer Party – Open to the Public – Vibe Ultra Lounge on Las Olas
7:30 p.m. Navy Seals/101st Airborne joint parachute team jump – Hooters at the Seminole Hard Rock
Sunday April 28th
9:00 a.m. Display Village, Drop Zone Premium Viewing opens
10:00 a.m. Clubhouse Chalet, Colonel's Club VIP Stand & Chalets open
12:00 p.m. Lauderdale Air Show 2012- Show Center at Sunrise Blvd & A1A
- 101st Airborne Flag Jump
- U.S. Navy Seals Leap Frogs
- Holland/Goulian head-to-head
- F-5 formation flight
- Mike Wiskus in the Lucas Oil Pitts
- Black Diamond Jet Team
- Rob Holland – 2011 Free Style Aerobatic Champion
- F-18 Hornet demo
- Mike Goulian in the Goodyear Extra 330SC
- B-1 Bomber 3-pass flight
- U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue demo
- F-15 formation flight
- Red Bull Helicopter, Air Force, Kirby Chambliss
- U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
4:00 p.m. Air Show After Party – Open to the public – Sunrise Village at the Sandbar
For more information, click here.
Directions
Sunrise Boulevard and A1A
There will be NO access South of NE 14th Court. If you want access to the displays and exhibits at the Sunrise/A1A intersection you must come via Sunrise Blvd, Las Olas Blvd or the 17th Street Causeway.
- From I-95 North/South:
Take Sunrise Boulevard East toward beaches to A1A
From Ft. Lauderdale International Airport
- Take US1 North to Sunrise Boulevard
Head East to beaches and A1A
From Downtown Ft. Lauderdale:
- Take Las Olas Blvd. East to A1A
Go North on A1A to Sunrise Blvd.
