Activities to keep family entertained – throughout day
SOUTHPORT Air Show is one of the biggest flying events in the UK and as such, traffic coming into Southport can get very heavy when the event is on.
Which is why it’s worth getting to Southport Beach as early as you can.
The air show provides the user with a unique visitor experience – with plenty of activity on the ground to keep the family entertained all day.
Here you will find attractions, trampolines, replica aircraft, food and gifts, military presence with a real diving tank and much more!
AIR SHOW VILLAGE
At the centre of the event you will find the Air Show Village with stalls selling an eclectic mix of gifts, sweets, models, military clothing and official Red Arrows merchandise.
You will also find activities to keep the little ones entertained such as the water walkers, a traditional helter skelter, inflatable assault course and total wipe-out game. A regular at the event, the Lytham St Annes replica Spitfire is back, so pop along and have your photo taken with her.
Davanti Tyres are at the show with their interactive race track for the competitive ones in the family. Step in to the shoes of a racing driver and take on the fastest lap challenge!
Other attractions include the Skyfall Zipwire and a special dartboard.
MILITARY VILLAGE
If you are considering a career in the Armed Forces or you are interested in what they do, head over to the Military Village located at the centre of the event.
You will find members of the forces displaying various equipment and weapons they use. They will also be offering advice on careers.
THE RAF
The Chinook facsimile is a highlight of the village area and gives you a unique opportunity to get up close to this amazing helicopter.
The local Air Cadets are at the show and as well as volunteering they are promoting and encouraging young people with an interest in aviation to join up, and with what’s on offer, you won’t need much persuading!
Aside from flying, sports, target shooting and adventure training, you will see the benefits of your own efforts, building on your achievements and earning BTECs and DoE Awards.
If you are already a member of the Air Cadets or are keen to take on a career in aviation and the RAF, the University Air Squadron are also in the Military Village and happy to answer any of your questions
THE NAVY
The Royal Navy personnel from the Northern Diving group will be demonstrating their skills too with their Dive Tank.
They also have specialised bomb disposal equipment and robots that they operate when carrying out operations. Demonstrations will be taking place throughout the day.
THE ARMY
Pop over and meet Domhnall (pronounced Donal), the Irish Guards mascot. He is a Wolfhound and is the Irish Guards’ 16th regimental mascot provided by The Irish Wolfhound Club, who presented the Irish Guards with Domhnall, at the Ambassador’s Residence in Dublin in October 2012.
His name means “world leader” in Gaelic and he wears his own solid silver collar and scarlet tunic for official duties.
He also has developed a fondness for Guinness.
Over on the beach there are plenty of activities for all the family – prepare to be winched up into the air on the bungee trampolines where you can experiment with acrobatics or simply just jump as high as you can. Test your aim on the paintball range and your driving skills in the mini tanks on their purpose-built course.
Merseyside Fire Museum will also be there showing visitors a range of equipment from over the years.
BEACH ATTRACTIONS
Head over the seawall to the beach area where you will find even more activity – test your skills on the Army Benevolent Fund paintball range, see how high you can jump on the bungee trampolines, whizz around on the bumper cars and roll about in the land zorbs.
Once you have worked up an appetite grab something to eat and drink at the food outlets serving a variety of dishes from traditional fish and chips, burgers, hog roast and sandwiches.
Other attractions on the sands include mini tanks, simulators and The Living Museum.
69TH FIELD ARTILLERY GUNS
Displays are carried out using original field equipment and all commands are given exactly as would have been done by gun crews during the Second World War, they also have all the field plotting and calculating equipment.
The group members try to portray different aspects of the wartime experience, from the uniform an ordinary soldier wore, to their equipment and the food they ate using their World War II Field Kitchen.