Flagler County Freedom Fest Features Warbirds and “Whirlybirds”

Palm Coast, FL – The Flagler County Freedom Fest is back this year and will feature all kinds of military aircraft dating back to World War II. One unique feature of Freedom Fest is a variety of aircraft in flight for the fly-by parade, which provides a rare opportunity to take close-up photos and videos of the aircraft in flight. “We’ll have some Big Iron at the event this year, ‘Killer Bee’ a B-25 bomber and ‘Tico Belle’ – a C-47 troop/cargo transporter that was part of the Normandy invasion – are a couple of the big stars of the show,” Airport Director Roy  Sieger said. “It’s a great chance for area families to see dozens of aircraft up close, talk to the pilots and take pictures.” Entry to the event is free, with shuttles to and from the Flagler Palm Coast High School. Parking at the Flagler Executive Airport is $5. Opening ceremonies will include a welcome from the Board of County Commissioners and Sieger, local jazz artist Linda Cole will sing God Bless America and the National Anthem, Representative Paul Renner will lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the Warbird Parade Flyby with skydivers. Flight formations continue throughout the afternoon. There will be model aircraft demonstrations from 1 to 3:30 p.m. There will be an American Flag Project presentation at 3:30 p.m. by Nikki White. Rides on a Huey, Cobra, and T-6 Texan are available throughout the afternoon – prices vary. Live music includes Eli Mosley country music from 4 to 5:30 p.m.; “Soul Fire Mo-Town” from 5:45 to 7:30 p.m.; and, the “Slippery When Wet” Bon Jovi tribute band from 8 to 9:15 p.m. There will be an invocation, National Anthem and final flyover between 7:30 and 8 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9:20 p.m. from Central Park. Festival-goers will have the opportunity to see the following: Tico Belle C-47 World War II troop/cargo aircraft T-6 Texan World War II advanced trainer B-25 Mitchell World War II bomber BT-13 Valiant World War II basic trainer Florida Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopter UH-1 Iroquois, also known as a “Huey” AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter T-28 Trojan trainer aircraft PT-17 Stearman trainer aircraft L-39 Albatros high-performance jet trainer CJ-6 Nanchang Chinese basic trainer L-19 Bird Dog observation aircraft TB 30 Epsilon military trainer O-2 Skymaster Navy SH-60 Seahawk utility helicopter T-34 Mentor military trainer L-16 Aeronca military liaison aircraft