Cecil Field Air Show 2009

[thekillingwax]

I'm curious about the turnout as well. I wanted to go so badly but got called into work this weekend.

[BridgeTroll]

I was able to go today... pretty good event but probably not as well attended as organizers would like.

[Jason]

Saturday was pretty busy but it didn't seem as packed as the show at NAS, but that is to be expected because its not nearly as widely know nor does it have the tenure.  If they keep it up it should turn into a much larger event.  I'd guess around 9 or 10 thousand people showed up on saturday.

IMO, it was very well done.  Organized, on time, fantastic weather, and a lot of fun.  Man, I love those FA-18s!

[BridgeTroll]

Cecil Field is a great facility and community asset. 

[blizz01]

I went yesterday & had a good time - very interactive for the kids.  I did have a hard time trying to convince myself that Cecil is a better venue than NAS JAX (with the boats on the river, etc.) or better yet - the beach.  I understood this to be billed as the "largest in the country", however, they were already plugging next week's event in Lakeland as such so I'm not sure what criteria went into that as there is more to see on display at the usual events.  The "modern" military aircraft displayed on the ground & in the air were obviously local from the Navy, National Guard(s), & Coast Guard - &  with the absence of the Blue Angels or even the Thunderbirds, there was somewhat of a void compared to what we've been accustomed to.  It seemed geared more toward vintage planes & hobbyists.  Given that, would I go back?  Sure I would!

[Jason]

^ I agree Blizz.  It was a bit different not seeing the Angels.  However, the acts I witnessed on Saturday were unlike any I've ever seen before.  The fact that it was all for the benefit of a fellow acrobat was amazing.

I think the "largest in the country" statement was with regards to the quantity of performances, not the overall size or attendance.  The show this past season at NAS was MUCH larger in those respects, but didn't have the amount of acts that the Cecil show did.

Can't wait for next year.

[jandar]

I went yesterday as well.

Was nice seeing the P51/F86/F15 flying formation together. Definitely different.

For a first event, it was nicely done. Needed to be better marketed though. Perhaps they could try to get other teams like the thunderbirds next year.

[CMG22]

Thanks to everyone who came!  Many of your observations were right on the money.  First, let me say that in total, we had about 30,000 people at Cecil Field in those two days, and it was being billed as the largest air show in the US because of the number of performers in the air each day.  (Lakeland's Sun'n'Fun is accepted as the second largest air show by attendees, second to EAA Airventure in Oshkosh, WI.)

As far as marketing, JAA has a contract with a local PR firm here, which we were obligated to use.  They did a good job, but of course, there is room for improvement.

As far as the big teams--if you've seen them once, you've seen them 100 times.  Not only that, but the requirements to have one of these teams at a show are enormous, and costly.  They bring an entourage of about 50 people.  For a charity air show, it just wasn't in the cards...

We're hoping to do another one in 2 years, by the way...

[BridgeTroll]

Thanks CMG... I am with you... I prefer the small independent stunt fliers to the Angels and Tbirds.

[CMG22]

Well, all said and done, the show raised $110,000 for the Alan Henley Foundation.

Footage from the press conference held at Sun'n'Fun:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQN8xoxZayg