THE famous RAF Red Arrows aerobatic team will be the star performer on the first day of Folkestone Airshow, Saturday, June 7, it has been announced by organiser Open Air Promotions Ltd. To round off an exciting day, the Folkestone-based event management company is also to stage a spectacular live concert on Folkestone seafront.

Said project manager Yvonne Holder: “It’s wonderful news that Folkestone has been included in this year’s displays by the Red Arrows. The team is in great demand by air show organisers all over the country. Its appearances, of course, are subject to operational requirements.

“A fantastic line-up of military and other aircraft has been assembled to thrill residents and visitors during the Airshow weekend. As well as ‘The Reds’, it includes a Lancaster and two Spitfires of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Tucano and Grob Tutor aerobatic planes and the Breitling Wingwalkers, the only formation wingwalking team in the world.

“And that’s not all. Starting at 7pm, we are presenting ABBA Björn Again plus multi-instrumentalist star Chris Andre plus a grand firework finale. It’ll be an evening to remember. Ticket information is posted on www.folkestoneairshow.com“.

The timetable of events in the air and programme of displays, exhibitions, entertainment and activities to be held on the Leas and in the harbour area on June 7 and 8will be announced shortly.

Shepway District Council leader Cllr David Monk said: “I am pleased that the Red Arrows are coming back to thrill us with their breathtaking aerobatic display. The district council and Folkestone Town Council have again made funds available to pay for the Red Arrows display”.

Folkestone Airshow will return on 7th and 8th of June 2014 to be even bigger and better than ever before. However, this year we will be running additional events in advance to raise funding and awareness. The first of these exciting events is an Open Air Drive-In showing of the 1986 film, Top Gun.

On the Saturday 29 March 2014, the Rotunda site on Folkestone sea front will be transformed into a Drive-In Cinema, complete with 30ft screen, food served to your car and surprise entertainment. And best of all, it’s free.

Book your tickets now at www.openairpromotions.eventbrite.co.uk.

This will be a fun event for the whole family. Please book your ticket in advance, to avoid disappointment, as this event has a limited capacity.

Open Air Promotions Ltd will be collecting funds for Folkestone Airshow 2014 at the event, which will go towards the People’s Flying Display. All funds raised for the People’s Flying Display will help us to bring the Breitling WingWalkers to Folkestone Airshow, and everyone who donates can see their contribution as the Aerobatic Team wow the crowds; filling the skies with amazing flying manoeuvres and showing their aerobatic abilities.

FIVE popular restaurants and bars – four in Folkestone, one in Sandgate – are inviting patrons to put their ‘own’ aircraft in the sky at next year’s Folkestone Airshow. Designated as an Official Supporter, each has signed up to raise an amount of money which will enable Open Air Promotions Ltd, organiser of the two-day event, to hire a named type of aircraft or aerobatic team.

The fund-raising scheme was launched this week and will run until the flying programme is complete.

Folkestone Airshow pr and marketing manager Maddison Broom said that each Official Supporter had chosen the particular military or stunt aircraft they would ask their customers to fund. “They have their own ideas about how to hit necessary targets – by organising events and activities, for example – and we will help by promoting them through our social media websites. Their efforts will be invaluable in lining up the fly-pasts and thrilling high-speed aerobatics performances we are programming”.

Folkestone Airshow 2014 Official Supporters, the amount they have set out to raise and their chosen aircraft are:The Chambers (£3,000, Tornado); The View (£2,500, Trig Aerobatic Team); Fresh & Easy(£2,000, Grob Tutor); The Frenchman (£2,000, King Air); The Royal Norfolk (£2,000, Sea King search-and-rescue helicopter).

Chris Smith, owner-manager of The Chambers said: “We are thrilled to be fund-raising to bring the Tornado to Folkestone Airshow. It will be one of the loudest aircraft in the flying display and we aim to make as much noise with our fund-raising”.

Folkestone Airshow 2014 will take place on Saturday and Sunday, June 7 and 8. For latest information log on to www.folkestoneairshow.com