Monday March 4, 11:19 am Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: McDonald's Air & Sea Show
McDonald's Air & Sea Show Set for Take-Off in May
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 4, 2002--The nation's largest=20
military and civilian air and sea show takes on a new name today with=20
McDonald's Corporation as title sponsor. Pro Series, Inc., which produces th=
e=20
show, announced today that the McDonald's Air & Sea=AE Show, presented by=20
WPLG-TV, Channel 10, is set for May 4-5 along four miles of Fort Lauderdale=20
beach. The show is one of the world's largest spectator events, drawing=20
millions for military and civilian air, water and entertainment activities.=20
It includes McDonald's Fleet Week, which brings several Navy ships and=20
thousands of sailors to Fort Lauderdale from April 29 to May 5. ``McDonald's=
=20
is proud to sponsor the Air & Sea Show in Fort Lauderdale,'' said Mike=20
Roberts, president, McDonald's USA. ``Through these events we're paying=20
tribute to the men and women who serve our country in the Armed Services.''=20
The McDonald's Air & Sea Show is the official start to May's National=20
Military Appreciation Month; a nationwide celebration initiated by the USO=20
and observed annually each May. It also kicks off the ``McDonald's National=20
Salute to the U.S. Military'' program, which will pay tribute to the men and=
=20
women in uniform in communities throughout the country. ``Since its=20
inception, the Air & Sea Show has played a vital role in showcasing the=20
Pentagon's finest personnel and equipment to the public and helping the U.S.=
=20
military with recruiting efforts,'' said Mickey Markoff, executive producer=20
of the McDonald's Air & Sea Show and McDonald's National Salute to the U.S.=20
Military=AE. ``What a perfect fit to have a wholesome, family-oriented brand=
=20
like McDonald's put its name to the show's title.'' Corporate support from=20
McDonald's and other sponsors makes it possible to create an event that does=
=20
not require an admission fee.
Headlining the roster this year, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels Demonstration Tea=
m=20
in F/A-18 Hornets will perform high-speed maneuvers in formation with inches=
=20
between wingtips. An aircraft carrier and destroyers from McDonald's Fleet=20
Week will serve as a breathtaking backdrop for many more world-class militar=
y=20
and civilian performances. Three elite parachute teams will perform: the U.S=
.=20
Army Golden Knights, U.S. Air Force Stars and the U.S. Navy Leap Frogs. Othe=
r=20
highlights will include appearances by the U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit Stealth=
=20
Bomber, F-117 Stealth Fighter, Navy F-18 and F-14 fighters, and the U.S.=20
Marine Corps Harrier jet. All five branches of the U.S. military are=20
scheduled to participate in the event. Civilian air acts will include Kermit=
=20
Weeks Fantasy of Flight Vintage Aircraft, Team Oracle's Sean Tucker in his=20
specially modified Pitts aerobatic airplane, the Red Bull Mig, aerobatic=20
pilot Jim LeRoy performing in honor of the U.S. Marine Corps, Aerial Sign's=20
Salute to Old Glory, and Ian Groom's Fed Ex SU 31.
Back by popular demand, onlookers will witness the U.S. Marine and Navy=20
``Invasion of the Beach'' joint forces training exercise. Spectators will=20
experience first hand this multi-dimensional, self-contained, sea-air-ground=
=20
fighting force as they demonstrate their ``first-in, last-out'' approach to=20
amphibious warfare. The high-speed Cigarette Offshore Powerboat Racing=20
Exhibition will also return this year to thrill spectators. The popular=20
Powersports/ Polaris personal watercraft demonstration and the Crystal=20
Springs Water Ski Show and Hang Gliding Demonstration return for another=20
year. A Display Village will have something for everyone at the intersection=
=20
of A-1-A and Sunrise Boulevard.
Nearby Galleria Mall will host exciting military displays inside and out=20
during the show and the days leading up to it. A real F-16 fighter jet to be=
=20
parked in front of the mall is part of the U.S. Air Force Experience=AE, an=20
attraction packed with six F-16 flight simulators that let visitors go on=20
high-speed ``virtual'' missions. The excitement continues Saturday evening=20
with Walgreens' Family Night Jazz Concert starring jazz musician Richard=20
Elliott. The grand finale of the night will be the spectacular Chevron=20
Fireworks Extravaganza presented by Colonial Fireworks. Pre-event activities=
=20
include the Chris Evert Children's Hospital Kids Day, presented by North=20
Broward Hospital District. Thousands of Broward County sixth graders, specia=
l=20
needs children, and ROTC students will watch a practice performance of=20
exciting air and sea action, and meet some of the performers. WPLG Channel 1=
0=20
and NewsRadio 610 will broadcast the action live from the event. The Show ha=
s=20
received significant endorsements from federal, state and local agencies, as=
=20
well as business and civic organizations. For more information, the public=20
may contact:=20
McDonald's Air & Sea Show Hotline: 954/527-5600 x4
Hotel Reservation Hotline: 954/561-9556Website: =20=
=20
<A HREF=3D"http://www.airseashow.co/";>http://www.airse=
ashow.co</A>