VERO BEACH — When Lt. John “Toby” Keith flies the U. S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet at the Vero Beach Air Show this weekend, the number ‘6’ on the plane will honor the memory of Capt. Jeff Kuss, Blue Angel #6.
The Blues continue to stand down following the death of Capt. Kuss in a tragic accident in Smyrna, Tenn., June 2. Capt. Kuss leaves his wife and two young children behind. The show, which takes place June 25-26 at the Vero Beach Regional Airport, will also memorialize the fallen Angel.
Nationally known not-to-be-missed air show acts, including Rob Holland, Shockwave jet-powered truck, the AeroShell Aerobatic Team, Mike Goulian, Kyle Franklin, Greg Shelton, wing walker Ashley Key, Jacquie Warda, John Black, the Misty Blues All Woman Skydiving Team, and a Commemorative Air Force F4U Corsair, will appear.
Thirty static military and civilian aircraft, including a C-17 and A-10s, will be on display. Attendees can take a ride in a Warbird, see native Florida animals in the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary exhibit, and enjoy the free Family Fun Zone complete with Windjammer Slide, Giant Obstacle Course, and Bungee Run. A Bounce House and a Crazy Slide will be open for children 5 and under. A historic cub will leave the Piper Parade of Planes.
Gates open at 9 a.m., flying starts at 12 p.m. Flying traffic reporter Jim Davis will report the best routes to the show on WTTB 1490.
An all-volunteer board of directors has been working on the show for a year and a half. More than 700 individuals from 14-years-old to senior citizens have also volunteered to help make the show run smoothly. They have attended training sessions to learn how to perform a wide variety of tasks from parking cars, serving in the Chalets, collecting trash, setting up and taking down the show, and selling food, beverages, and novelties in four food courts.
Piper Aircraft is the show’s Presenting Sponsor; Treasure Coast Newspapers/
TCPalm.com /Gannett, the five Treasure & Space Coast Radio Stations, Southern Eagle/
Budweiser, The Majestic 11 Theaters, and Waste Management are major sponsors of the show.
The Food Fest will be held as scheduled Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. in Riverside Park, 3400 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach. It features 30 food trucks, live music by Collins and Company, and a chance to meet all the performers, including the pilot of the Super Hornet.
Vero Beach Air Show, Inc. is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. All proceeds benefit the prevention of child abuse and support veterans of military service in the local community.
Further information about the show is available at the show’s website at http://www.veroairshow.com and on its Facebook and Twitter pages. Sign up at the website for occasional breaking news about the show for insiders as it becomes available.
