MARGATE’S BIG EVENT FEATURING THE AIRFIX AIR SHOW

The last remaining airborne Vulcan and the Red Arrows display team will
headline Margate’s Big Event featuring the Airfix Air Show this
weekend. (Saturday 18 June and Sunday 19 June)

The flying programme for this year’s free event, which is moving to
Margate seafront, has been unveiled, with action in the air on both
afternoons. The popular event, which again features a lively mix of
action on the ground and in the air, is already renowned as Kent’s
leading land and air festival.

Kicking off the Airfix Air Show at 2pm on Saturday 18 June is the
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, showcasing the legendary Lancaster,
Hurricane and Spitfire. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the
first ever flight of the Spitfire. The Tigers Freefall Team will then
parachute into the sea off Margate, before being followed by displays
from the Tutor, Tucano and Hawk, all used for training military pilots.
After a display by the Tornado GR4, the last remaining airborne Vulcan
B2 takes to the skies at 3.45pm above Margate. Known for its iconic
delta-wing design from the late 1940s, it’s widely regarded as a piece
of British history and one of the world’s greatest aircraft.

On Father’s Day, on Sunday 19 June at 3.30pm, the Airfix Air Show is
again opened by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, followed by the
Tigers Freefall Team. The Stearman, an American elementary aircraft from
the Second World War, then makes an appearance, before displays from the
Tutor, Tucano and Hawk. The Sunday action in the air is wrapped up at
5.00pm by the ever popular Red Arrows, providing a fitting end to this
year’s Big Event.

There will be plenty of activity on the ground, with live bands and DJs
throughout both days in Marine Gardens and the Piazza in the Old Town.
Highlights include the hugely popular Hullabaloo and Thanet girl group
One Step Beyond, national finalists in Britain Does Variety.

On Margate Main Sands, you can try out a whole host of sports
challenges, including inflatable sphere, climbing wall and football
wave. The Joss Bay Surf School will be on hand with their Indo Boards to
improve your skills, while the search is on for the Margate’s Big
Event Skipping Champion. The traditional Carnival Raft Race comes to the
event at 1.30pm on the Sunday, while younger members of the family can
enjoy Punch and Judy and the Hornby Village. Located next to the Clock
Tower, it features an Airfix Make-and-Paint area for families to sit and
enjoy Airfix modeling, a Hornby layout and Scalextric track.

Cllr. Martin Wise, Cabinet Member for Performance, said: “This
year’s Big Event is absolutely packed with things for the whole
family to do throughout the weekend. We’ve got an amazing line-up of
action in the Airfix Air Show on both days, from the ever popular Red
Arrows to the rare Vulcan bomber, supplemented by a superb selection of
activities on the ground. We look forward to seeing thousands of people
flocking into Margate and supporting the town’s businesses during this
year’s Big Event.”

Margate’s Big Event opens at 10.30am on both days and closes at 10pm
on the Saturday with fireworks on the Harbour Arm, and 6pm on the
Sunday. For full details of what’s happening, visit

www.thanet.gov.uk/margatesbigevent or call 01843 577577. Road
closures will be in place along Marine Terrace from 1.30pm to 4.30pm on
the Saturday and from 3pm to 6pm on the Sunday, with traffic, except for
buses, diverted along All Saints Avenue. Event parking is available at
Dreamland, Mill Lane, Trinity Square and Morrison’s.