Ed Laird has lived in Huntington Beach for a very long time, but he rarely has reason to spend time at the beach. That all changed when the Pacific Airshow came to Huntington Beach eight years ago.
“I’ve spent more time on the beach during the Airshow than I have in my 60 years in Huntington,” Laird said.
He’ll find himself back on the beach – along with thousands of others – when the Pacific Airshow again lands here for the ninth straight year.
More than 60 aircraft will descend on Huntington Beach Oct. 3-5 in what is considered the largest airshow in the United States. More than 700,000 spectators have attended the airshow over the past eight years.
This year’s airshow will once again feature a temporary runway on the sand. Military aircraft take off from the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, while civilian aircraft take off from Lyon Air Museum at John Wayne Airport.
Performers include the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, Canadian Forces Snowbirds, U.S. Navy Growler Air Show Team, U.S. Navy Leap Frogs para-chute team, US Air Force KC-135 Demo Team and The Royal Air Force Falcons parachute display team. A full list of performers is at pacificairshowusa. com/performers The three-day event will feature new attractions, including ticketed viewing areas, STEM activities, a kids zone and a display of select aircraft on the beach.
Organizers will introduce the NXTGN STEM Lab, where students can interact with aviation and tech professionals, experience new aerospace innovations and meet worldclass aviators.
Classes are invited to register for a free
event Friday, Oct. 3, to experience the STEM lab firsthand and catch the show. The lab will be located in the general admission area on the sand.
The viewing area stretches along Pacific Coast Highway between Twin Dolphin Street and Beach Boulevard. Hours are about 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
Hospitality options include the Premier Club, the Oasis, private cabanas and private chalets. New offerings include the Garden Bar, an introductory-level hospitality experience. More information is at pacificairshow.com.
Organizers say the show has produced a significant economic impact, contributing more than $120 million to the city.
Laird’s involvement began when he became a chalet sponsor, which he called “a great concept of watching and participating in a thrilling airshow with 150 of my closest friends. We had a great lunch and all types of drinks on the beach that made for a very exciting experience.”
He also praised airshow CEO Kevin Elliott. “Kevin has become like a son to me, and it keeps me young being involved,” Laird said. “Kevin is a home-grown kid from Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley who loves aviation and made dreams come true for thousands of kids as well as himself.”
On the airshow’s website, Elliott said: “Pacific Airshow is back, and we’re putting together an unforgettable weekend of fun on the sand and action in the skies that’s not only for aviation fans, but a spectacle that everyone can enjoy.”