With so many car shows happening around Florida, it can be hard for one to really stand out when there are sometimes up to a dozen choices on a given weekend. One way to be unique is to offer something that the others don’t, which seems to have worked for the Air Show - Car Show Combo on March 15th, 2008 at the Kennedy Space Center TICO Airport near Titusville, Florida.

For the second year the Vintage Vehicles of Florida hosted the car show portion of the event, which drew some great vehicles. Combined with the 31st Annual Warbird Air Show hosted by the Valiant Air Command, it made for some terrific photo opportunities. There just are not many chances to get pictures of collector cars next to modern and vintage aircraft, literally just a few steps away in many cases as the first 100 show vehicles received preference parking. Plus when you consider that the $20 gate fee was good for the show car registration and admission for two people to the air show, it was a tremendous value as well. To put it in perspective, adult air show admission was $15 each at the gate.

The air show featured nearly 100 vintage warbirds and current aircraft of all types. They were taking place in modern military fly-by’s and demonstrations, vintage warbird demo’s, dog fights, strafing runs, static displays, plus much more. If you have never been to an air show before, it really is a lot of fun. I experienced my first just a few years ago, and while I’ve always appreciated aircraft of all types, air shows like these get even the casual fan pumped up due to all the action. Plus in many cases the static displays allow you to actually climb aboard select aircraft. To keep everyone accommodated, there were also lots of food vendors, and a beer garden.

Many thanks go out to Dave Smart and Ed Fitzpatrick, plus all of the Vintage Vehicles members who participated in hosting a great event that we really enjoyed attending. It really was a unique experience, combining great cars and trucks with the whole air show experience. It really was an event that was fun for the whole family.

For more info on next year’s Air Show - Car Show Combo at the Kennedy Space Center TICO Airport keep an eye out for the listing in our Coming Attractions as next year’s event draws closer. You can also visit the Valiant Air Command web site at www.vacwarbirds.org, where you’ll find info about the air show portion of the event, the Warbird Museum, and various related links. CN