In celebration of the Air Force’s 60th year as a separate U.S. military branch, showcased vehicles ranged from the $130 million Raptor aircraft (which is nearly invisible to enemy radar) and a Lucas Oil Pitts propeller plane that can roll more than 400 degrees per second to several vintage military aircrafts, including the World War II P-51 Mustang, as well as Amphibious Assault Vehicle tanks, which can maneuver their way through either water or land.
Attendees had almost as much fun taking in the activities surrounding them as they did watching the first Army helicopter display in 35 years or welcoming 23-year-old Barrington Irving, currently on a mission to become the youngest pilot ever to fly around the world.
Guests could also participate in some extracurricular activities. In on the fun were the Marines, who staged mock boot camps (with giant Marine drill sergeant inflatables sitting behind them), so some guests were doing push-ups on platforms or attempting to pull their own weight—literally—on pull-up bars. Saab, the Swedish sports car and aircraft company, also had a designated area, used to display some of their newest cars. Down the main street, Sunrise Boulevard, dozens of vendor’s booths were selling everything from wood-carved airplanes to Desert Storm action figures. Air Force pilots were readily available to provide guests with their signatures, and models were around them providing Kodak moments.
Behind thousands of multicolored umbrellas pitched in the Fort Lauderdale Beach sand was a tented area built for military personnel, the media, performers, and other V.I.P.s. That area—the only shaded area within the entire stretch—was set with furniture rented through Diamonette Party Rentals and decorated with hanging paper airplanes and American flags. The food in the V.I.P. area, catered by A Joy Wallace Catering Production & Design Team, ranged from party favorites like pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, and pasta, to the healthier fruit bowls, quinoa, and salads. Chips, cookies, and beverages were the most common accompaniments. Hollywood-based Metro Signs provided all the signage to help steer guests in the right direction and to help promote sponsors such as Southern Wine & Spirits of America, CBS-4, and the Boys & Girls Club. The event was produced by the MDM Group, while Bitner Goodman handled the public relations.
Despite temperatures reaching the 80s, the skies were cloudless throughout most of the weekend. To ensure the safest event possible, the Fort Lauderdale police supplied 250 officers each day. Since the police can only cover incidents on land, the Coast Guard was also called out, and they did their job from three 87-foot cutters, one 110-foot patrol cutter, and multiple other vessels.
