The Slidell Air Show takes off this weekend

The skies over the Slidell Municipal Airport will be crowded with all sorts of military and exotic aircraft tomorrow as the fifth annual Slidell Air Show takes to the skies for a day of excitement and fun for the whole family.

This year’s air show is dedicated to the veterans, men and women who are serving in the global war on terrorism. This is a continuing tradition for the air show. In the past, the Slidell Air Show has been dedicated to the veterans of the Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm and last year, the show was dedicated to the men and women fighting in the Gulf War.

The highlight event this year will be a demonstration of aerobatics and stunts done by the East Coast A-10A Demo Team. The team is stationed at the Moody Air Force Base in Georgia and will demonstrate the capabilities of the A-10A, commonly known as “the Warthog” or “tank killer.

There will also be skydiving exhibitions from the local parachute team Skydive N’Awlins, along with civilian aerobatics teams like the T-2B Buckeye Flyboys, and Chuck Vincent Extra 300 Aerobatics, Red Thunder Air Show Team, and Pitts S2C Aerobatics. The U.S. Coast Guard will demonstrate search and rescue operation with a HH-65C Dauphin helicopter.

For those who want to get up close and personal, the airport will be filled with all sorts of planes that people can inspect. Among the displays will be a Blackhawk helicopter, jet fighters from Russia and Canada and lots of other strange and exotic aircraft.

There will also be lots of informational booths, souvenir stands, and food and beverage vendors on hand. Children will get to play in the Kids Zone with giant inflatables, bungee jumping and a rock wall.

Helicopter rides will be available to the public.

The Slidell Municipal Airport is at the end of Airport Road. Gates will open at 10 a.m. tomorrow, and the opening ceremony will be at noon. Air performances begin at 1 p.m.

Admission is $10 for adults, and $5 for children seven and up. Kids less than six years old are admitted free. Coolers and pets will not be allowed on the airport grounds.

For more information and a complete list of all the aircraft that will be at the Slidell Air Show, log on to www. slidell.schultzairshows.com, or call the Slidell Airport at 641-7590.