Golden Knights, Harriers & Warbirds join forces to provide affordable family fun.

Precision parachuting, gravity-defying jets, thundering jet trucks and vintage warbirds mark the 12 edition of The Great Georgia Airshow (GGAS) to be held at Falcon Field Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10 and 11. The aviation festival, presented by the Kiwanis Club of Peachtree City and the Commemorative Air Force’s (CAF), Dixie Wing, will again showcase modern and historic military aircraft, thrilling aerobatics and activities for the entire family.

“GGAS is a family friendly event, full of affordable activities for kids of all ages” said Bill Lasher, Airshow Director “A family of four will be able to attend for only $40. No where else in the Atlanta area can you find world-class family entertainment for this price.” Two day passes are available this year.

Leading the aerial line up of modern military aircraft is the Marine AV-8B Harrier II and Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt Demonstrations Teams. The Golden Knights, the U.S. Army’s precision parachute team, will be on hand to demonstrate the skill that has won the group 21 national championships and eight world titles over the last 50 years. The Harrier is famous for its ability to hover, while the Thunderbolt is a twin-engine jet designed for close air support.

Aircraft and helicopters from the various branches will be available for inspection throughout the weekend.

Performing for the first time, the six-ship Red Thunder Air Show Team will perform dazzling aerobatics in Russian and Chinese-made trainers. Dare devil teams returning to GGAS are Red Eagle Air Sports, Kent Gordon and Greg Koontz. Neal Darnell’s always popular Flash-Fire Jet truck will thunder down the runway at 300 miles per hour!

In GGAS tradition, the CAF Dixie Wing will display its growing collection of classic WWII and Korean War-era aircraft. Based in Peachtree City, the group is the Georgia chapter of the Commemorative Air Force, a national non-profit dedicated to restoring and flying vintage American military aircraft as a tribute to America’s veterans.

Air shows nation wide have experienced a resurgence in attendance this year.

“Attendance at air shows across the country [is] expected to hit almost 14 million, up 20 percent from last year,” said CBS Evening News reporter Bill Whitaker.

CBS Evening News reported that the current state of the economy has prompted families to “stay closer to home and look for cost effective entertainment alternatives for the family.”  Air shows seem to be the answer to this dilemma for many Americans. (CBS Evening News, Aug. 23, 2009)

Local community non-profit organizations, such as the Kiwanis Club of Peachtree City, as well as school and scouting groups generate proceeds by supporting the Airshow. Kiwanis is a global service organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at selected Kroger stores. Advance tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12. Kids ages 5 and under get in free. After Oct. 9, tickets are available at the gate: $18 for adults and $7 for shildren, ages 6-12. Two day passes are available this year at the gate: $30 for adults $30 and $10 for children.

Gates open at 9 a.m. both days with a pre-show starting at noon and aerial performances from 1-5 p.m.. To better ensure security and safety, absolutely no coolers, backpacks, or pets. For more information visit www.thegreatgeorgiaairshow.com or contact the air show office at 770-632-0365.

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