There is a definite buzz of excitement around town as organizers gear up for the Vero Beach Air Show 2014, scheduled to take place May 10 and 11 at the Vero Beach Airport. That buzz will soon become a thunderous roar, as the renowned Blue Angels soar into town, along with a full contingent of thrilling aerial acts.
The event is being hosted by the nonprofit entity Vero Beach Air Show, Inc., to benefit the Exchange Clubs of Indian River, Treasure Coast and Vero Beach towards their mission to prevent child abuse, and the Veterans Council of Indian River County, to honor and assist current and former members of the armed forces.
The appearance of the Blue Angels is a real coup for Vero Beach, one of only 35 sites nationwide where they are scheduled to perform this year. Plans for the Vero Beach Air Show held this past October were well underway when it was learned that the Blue Angels had accepted Vero’s application and had an open date in May.
Despite the amount of work involved in holding almost back-to-back shows, as Todd Howder, VBAS board president said last August, “When they call, you say yes!”
The timing was also fortuitous, as the sequestration that clipped the wings of the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron last year was only just lifted in March.
There are several factors as to why the Blue Angels may have chosen tiny Vero Beach; not least of which is the airport’s history as a Naval Air Station during World War II.
“They do like to go to small-town America to broaden their outreach,” said Airport Director Eric Menger, a former naval pilot. “Now the goal is to put our best foot forward and have the community come out and support the event. Make it a positive event so that the Blue Angels and other performers will say – ‘Hey we enjoyed Vero Beach and want to go back.’”
Another positive is that the airport has a 1.5-mile long runway and a large enough aerobatic box – the airspace required by FAA for high-performance maneuvers. To ensure safety, professional air boss Wayne Boggs will take control of the airspace during the show.
“We still have people who don’t believe they’re actually coming,” said Marty Zickert, a retired Air Force colonel, president of the Veterans Council of Indian River County, and the designated Blue Angel liaison. “They’re a recruiting tool; that’s their main purpose. It’s not just to look cute and make us go ooh-ah.”
The show is a massive undertaking, with members of the Exchange Clubs and the Veteran’s Council recruiting squadrons of their own to support the patriotic fundraising effort. Roughly 800 enthusiastic volunteers will lend a hand to help benefit local children’s programs and veterans.
“After expenses, all the money goes straight to the charities,” said Todd Howder, VBAS board president. “That’s the key. This is a fundraising event; just one heck of a fundraising event. We’re honored to have the Blues, but all of it goes right back into the community.”
The economic boost to the community is expected to be enormous as well. Modest estimates put attendance at 50,000, but it will likely be higher.
“This is the furthest south show in Florida, so we will be drawing from Miami up,” said Howder, noting that tourists, performers and vendors will be utilizing local restaurants, hotels and other businesses.
“It’s the biggest event to ever hit Vero,” said Robert Paugh, who is putting the logistical skills he has garnered as general manager of Bill Byrant and Associates to good use as the show’s director of operations.
“We’ve had outstanding support; I don’t know of anyone who is not committed,” said Menger, noting that the county and city governments and the community in general have all said, “We’ve got your back.”
In addition to the Blue Angels, there is an exciting list of other performers; some new and some returning after their October visit.
“This time we’ve got a biplane going up that’s going to have a lady wing-walker right on top,” said Menger, referring to stunt woman Teresa Stokes, who will perform with “Mr. Airshow” Gene Soucy, a three-time U. S. National Champion.
Other aerobatic performers include Patty Wagstaff, a three-time U.S. National Aerobatic Champion; Skip Steward aboard his biplane, Prometheus the Flying Machine; Rob Holland, winner of the last three U.S. National Unlimited Aerobatic Championships and a Gold Freestyle Medal at the World Aerobatic Championships; Scott “Scooter” Yoak and his restored Quick Silver P-51 Mustang; Dave Folk aboard an F4U-5N Corsair, one of the most famed fighters of WWII; The Lucas Oil Skydivers, parachuting in a series of breathtaking jumps; retired Northwest Airlines captain Julie Clark, marking her 31st year as a solo aerobatic air show pilot; and Fat Albert, a U.S. Marine Corps C-130 Hercules airlifter.
And just barely on the ground, the Shockwave Jet Truck, a jet engine powered semi-tractor trailer, which can travel up to 400 mph, and utilizes parachutes to stop.
To keep the little ones busy in-between performances, there will be an expanded Kid’s Zone, with aviation themed bounce houses and slides, a zip line, parachute drop and helicopter rides available for purchase. Food and merchandise vendors and a display of military, vintage and personal aircraft will round out the offerings.
“It’s 20 bucks, and the whole thing is for charity. Where can you see a tremendous show right here in your home town for that?” questions Menger.
General Admission tickets are $20 per day. A limited number of “Barnstormer Chalet” tickets, offering a seat under a tent, with food and drink, and reserved seating, minus the tent and food, may still be available.
“We want people to come out here and go: ‘Holy cow – this is so exciting!’” said Zickert.
Gates will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, with performances beginning at noon. The main entrance is at the western end of the airport off 43rd avenue, and an army of volunteers and police will direct cars to the numerous free parking sites.
For full details, visit www.veroairshow.com.
