2008 Sertoma Cajun Air Festival: U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds return to Lafayette! - 10/27/2008

The Sertoma Club of Lafayette has announced plans for the upcoming 2008 Sertoma Cajun Air Festival, to be held at the Lafayette Regional Airport November 1st and 2nd.

This year’s air show will feature the world famous Thunderbirds, the U.S. Air Forces’ elite demonstration squadron. In addition the Thunderbirds, the two-day event will feature a variety of aerial demonstrations, a parachute team, a jet-powered truck, aircraft on static display, and other attractions.

The following attractions are also scheduled to appear at the 2008 Sertoma Cajun Air Festival:

* F/A-18 Hornet
* F-15 Eagle
* P-51 Mustang Heritage Flight
* Hurricane Hunters
* US Coast Guard Dolphin Helicopter Demo
* Super Shockwave Jet Truck
* L-39 Albatross
* Louisiana Air National Guard C-130
* John Klatt Air Shows
* Chuck Vincent Extra 300
* Parachute Demo Team
* Aeroshell Aerobatic Team
* Christine “CC” Gerner
* Louisiana National Guard Displays
* LoPresti Fury
* Yak-52
* Army Virtual Experience
* US Air Force Do Something Amazing Tour

“The Thunderbirds can perform at a very limited number of air shows each year. They are in such great demand, that we are only able to bring such an amazing demonstration team to the Acadiana area every three to five years,” according to Ron Chauffe, chairman of this year’s show. “The Thunderbird’s performances are unimaginable before you see them and unforgettable after you see them,” Chauffe added.

This year, the Thunderbirds celebrate 55 years of representing the more than 500,000 Airmen, National Guardsmen and Reservists worldwide. The performance at the Lafayette Regional Airport will be the only performance is Louisiana in 2008.

“We work very hard to make sure the Air Festival is a safe, family-friendly event.  We’ve also made it very affordable for families to attend with special discounts available on tickets purchased in advance online. Our website, www.sertomaairshow.com, is a great resource for more information on the attractions, advance ticket purchases, parking information and much more,” Chauffe said.

The name, Sertoma, is an acronym for "SERvice TO MAnkind." The Sertoma Club of Lafayette, Inc. is a non-profit organization and is a part of Sertoma International. The Sertoma Club of Lafayette formed the Sertoma Cajun Air Festival in 1986 and has organized the event ever since. 

Any net proceeds derived from the Sertoma Cajun Air Festival will help the Sertoma Club of Lafayette continue to support research for autism and communication disorders, individuals with speech and hearing impediments, as well as its affiliate organization the Autism Society of Acadiana.