Revving up for Southend Air Festival 2012!
Final preparations are now underway for the 27th Southend Air Festival which is being staged on Saturday and Sunday 26th and 27th May!
Residents and visitors can look forward to the fun and excitement of fabulous flying displays and enthralling ground entertainment at one of Europe's largest free air shows.
The 2012 festival promises to be another spectacular event and is being delivered in partnership with easyJet, which is now based at London Southend Airport.
A hugely varied selection of ground attractions will open from 10am each day all along Southend seafront, City Beach and in the High Street too.
In addition to the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Army, local organisations are even more involved this year, showing just why Southend is a premier tourism destination.
There will be mini tanks, the Racing Bug, bumper boats, climbing walls, beach volleyball, simulators and Italian supercars offering the ‘wow’ factor!
Delicious food from around the world will also be available at a colossal range of catering outlets throughout the site.
The captivating air displays take place between 3pm and 6pm on Saturday 26th May and from approximately 2.30pm to 6pm on Sunday 27th May (please note that these times are subject to change).
Among the attractions included in this year’s line-up are the Typhoon, Hawk, Tucano, Tutor, King Air, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Lancaster, Spitfire, Hurricane), Royal Navy Black Cats, Wingwalkers solo, the Blades display team, Jet Provost, Spitfire, Sbach 300, Trig Aerobatic Team and SWIP Team.
For the latest updates and information about Southend Air Festival 2012 go to www.visitsouthend.co.uk
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council’s Executive Councillor for Culture and Tourism, Councillor Derek Jarvis, said: “The Air Festival is a terrific way for families to enjoy a thrilling free day out with major attractions in the air and on the ground to suit all the family.
“We are continually developing the festival so this year promises a whole host of new and exciting features, as well as familiar favourites. This is why visitors are captivated by the event and come in such large numbers from far and wide. Once here they discover even more about what the town can offer throughout the rest of the year too.”
Hugh Aitken, Commercial Manager for easyJet, said: “We are looking forward to the Air Festival which promises to be one of the best displays ever this year. There is an exciting programme planned for the weekend which even includes an easyJet fly past.
"Since our flights started from London Southend in early April we have been really pleased by the local response we have received.”
Travel Information for Southend Air Festival 2012 – Why not leave the car at home and let the train, the coach or the bus take the strain?
For details see below or visit: www.visitsouthend,co,uk
By Rail
There are two direct lines to Southend from London (Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria and Fenchurch Street to Westcliff, Southend Central and Southend East) with a minimum of seven trains per hour and a journey time of approximately 50 mins. For fares, ticket options and times please visit the National Rail Enquiries website or call 08457-484950.
By Coach
National Express operates from London Victoria with connections to Southend. For full details please visit the National Express website or call 08705-808080.
By Road
From the North - via A1, M11, M25 & A127 (M25 Junction 29, 20 miles). From the South - via M25, Dartford Tunnel, A13 (M25 Junction 30, 26 miles) or A127.
There are more than 10,000 parking spaces in Southend. For a map of Southend’s car parks visit www.southend.gov.uk
Disabled parking spaces are still available. If you want to book one call Jane Brown on 01702-212846 or e-mail her at janebrown@southend.gov.uk These will be allocated on a ‘first-come, first served’ basis.
