EUROPE’s biggest free airshow gets underway tomorrow night (Friday, July 25) with a mix of music and spectacular flying.
The Red Arrows, celebrating their 50th season, will perform at the launch party of the 26th Sunderland International Show, as well as on both Saturday and Sunday.
It is the first time that the world-famous RAF aerobatic display team has made three appearances at the popular event, which attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators to the city’s seafront at Roker and Seaburn each year.
The launch party, at Cliffe Park, will also see a visit from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight – a Lancaster bomber and Hurricane and Spitfire fighters - music including a performance by tribute band Them Beatles and a firework spectacular finale.
On Saturday and Sunday there will be full afternoon flying programmes with the Red Arrows closing on Saturday and opening the show on Sunday.
The attractions include old favourites such as The RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team and the Royal Navy’s Black Cats Helicopter Display Team alongside new additions such as an Autogyro.
On the ground there will be entertainment, music, fairground rides, stalls and displays by companies, charities and various branches of the military.
The airshow is holding its first Family Kingdom in Roker Park with a playgropund, entertainment and attractions for children and their parents.
The Band of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers will perform before and at the end of the aerial displays on both days.
The airshow is staged by Sunderland City Council and events company Sunderland Live.
Airshow Director Sue Stanhope said: "With a packed flying display, a huge range of activities, exhibitions and funfairs, this year's Sunderland International Airshow is once again going to be the biggest and best free family event in the region.
Sunderland City Council leader Paul Watson said: "It is great to see that once again some of the top pilots in the world will be coming along to thrill the crowds at this year's Sunderland International Airshow.
"Each year we work with our delivery partner Sunderland Live to try to improve on what is already a fantastic free event for all the family.
Heavy traffic congestion can be expected in and around the city throughout the weekend and several roads will be closed at Roker and Seaburn.
Extra bus and Tyne and Wear Metro train services will run including park and ride buses.
For further information visit www.sunderlandlive.co.uk, the airshow Facebook page at www.fb.com/SunderlandInternationalAirshow
and Twitter #SunAirshow
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