It is only one week until the 30th Clacton Airshow gets underway for two days of breathtaking aerial displays on the town’s golden beach. Clacton’s free two-day seaside airshow has been organised by the local authority, Tendring District Council for 26 years, making it one of the UK’s longest running airshows.
Unusually, it is not held at a weekend, but on the Thursday and Friday before the August Bank Holiday. It attracts thousands of people far and wide to watch the plane’s displays – in particular the crowd-drawing Red Arrows.
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EssexLive has compiled a list of what is happening and where to help you out on the big day. Here is everything you need to know about the event, all in one place.
Where is it?
The main ground event site is located on Marine Parade West. However, there is adequate viewing available along the seafront from the East side of Clacton Pier to Clacton Martello Beach including our upper and lower promenades and West Greensward.
The site is very open and it can get hot so remember to check the weather, bring plenty of water, put on sunscreen, wear comfortable clothing and bring a rain jacket!
When is the Airshow?
The action kicks off on Thursday, August 24 at 1pm. The official site opens at 11am each day and closes at 10pm on Thursday and 5pm on Friday.
What is the program?
The key events for day one are:
2pm – RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
4.30pm – RAF Red Arrows
7.45pm – Twilight displays
This will be followed by a fireworks display at Clacton Pier.
The key events for day two are:
1pm RAF Red Arrows
2pm RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
As well as the Red Arrows and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight from the RAF, there will be a Rolls Royce Spitfire and Mustang display, the Tigers Army Parachute Display Team, the Firebirds and many more. Click here for a full list of the displays.
The displays and timings are subject to change so make sure you get the official show programme. You can get them on the day from any of the Ground Crew or on pre-sale for collection at Clacton Town Hall.
They will also be available from Monday (21 August) at the Visitors’ Information Centre, Clacton Leisure Centre, Walton- on-the-Naze Lifestyles, and Dovercourt Bay Lifestyles for £5. Visit the official Clacton Airshow website to purchase yours.
What will there be on the ground?
There will be a diverse range of stimulating things to do on the ground, including a Military Village exhibit with an impressive array of vehicles to explore, as well as equipment used by the Royal Engineers. Recruitment teams will be on hand to discuss employment in the Regular Army and Army Reserves.
At the Rolls-Royce exhibition stand, visitors will be treated to an inside view of the Rolls-Royce Trent engine through virtual reality technology and learn about developments in low-CO2 sustainable aviation fuel.
The Clacton Airshow High Street Trail will be a fun new addition this year, encouraging visitors to explore local shops to find letters hidden in windows dressed for the airshow to spell out an appropriately themed word.
The trail will be available from Monday, 21 August, to Sunday, 3 September and maps can be collected from the Visitors Information Centre at Clacton Town Hall, Clacton Library and from outside Clacton train station on the mornings of the airshow.
For help getting to the event and advice on parking, visit the airshow’s website. For more information visit the event’s Twitter page: @ClactonAirshow. Or Facebook page: @TheSunshineCoastOffcial
Can I bring my own food and drink?
Yes, you can, but you are asked to use the bins provided for rubbish. You are also urged to use alternatives to single use plastics.