by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
The crowd headed to Cecil Field this weekend for the Jacksonville Aviation Authority’s airshow won’t be mistaken for the nearly 100,000 that invade the area around Jacksonville Municipal Stadium for the annual Florida-Georgia game. However, two factors are coming together to assure there will be big crowds for the two-day event: a record number of performers and likely ideal weather.
“Those who come are getting into a full-blown static display of aircraft,” said Kelly Peddycoart, operations duty officer at Cecil, which is owned and operated by JAA.
According to JAA, the 35 performers are more than any other airshow in the country. The performances, which are set for both days starting at 10:30 a.m. and running until 5 p.m., include skydivers, wingwalkers, military tactical demonstrations and simulated aerial dogfights. Aviation Authority officials are expecting crowds in excess of 10,000 a day with good weather pushing that number even higher.
“We’d love to have at least 12,000 each day,” said Debbie Jones, JAA community relations manager.
Unlike the annual Sea & Sky Spectacular that alternates between the Beaches and NAS Jacksonville and is free, there is a daily charge for the Cecil airshow. Adults will pay $10 a day, kids age 6-12 at $5, kids under 6 are free and it’s $8 for active duty military personnel. Parking is free.
Peddycoart realizes some people may balk at the entry fee, but she pointed out most movies cost about $10 these days and the airshow will provide day-long entertainment.
There will be dozens of planes of various types and sizes on hand for aviation enthusiasts to check out first hand. Peddycoart said attendees will be able to walk up to many of them, look inside and take as many pictures as they’d like. A few however, will be roped off because they are either military related or antiques.
At most airshows, the performers are paid a fee. This weekend, however, every one of them is performing as part of a fundraiser for the Alan Henley Foundation. Peddycoart said Henley was a lead pilot for the Aeroshell Team who was injured in a freak accident at home and left a paraplegic. There is also a classic car show Saturday and a motorcycle poker run set for Sunday.
Peddycoart said there will be a raffle for prizes that include a week at Space Camp for an adult and child and a ride in the Goodyear Blimp.
“We will announce the winners at the end of the show and mail them their certificates, so they don’t have to be present to win,” she said.
For more on the event or to purchase tickets, log on to www.cecilfield.aero.
356-2466