Not all the excitement at the Sands Lehigh Valley Airshow will take place in the sky!

The Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority (LNAA) has just announced that an awesome array of ground displays will be available both days of the summer event, August 24 and 25, from the time the gates open until after flying has ended.

Certain to be one of the most popular land displays: The Vintage Dreams Classic Car Show. Proud owners will display an eye catching selection of the most popular automobiles from the last 50 years. Because of so many classics and antiques, each day at the show, there will be a trophy presented to the people’s choice winner. In addition, every owner who displays their car will be automatically entered into a drawing that will take place at the end of the show. The winner will receive a 2008 Die Cast Shelby GT model and a Ford hat, both autographed by the late, great Carroll Shelby. For those interested in bringing their car to display at the show, entry forms are available on the air show website, www.lehighvalleyairshow.com.

FedEx will also be displaying the colossal FedEx Airbus A310 at the Sands Lehigh Valley Air Show. Airshow attendees will have the opportunity to tour the A310, and get an inside look at how their packages travel to their destinations. Attendees will also have the opportunity to see displays by the Lehigh Valley Flying Club, Gateway Aviation (the flight school at Queen City Airport) and several other corporate aircraft. “People who are not frequent flyers will have the opportunity to come to the airport to experience aviation; and develop an appreciation for the airport as a major community asset,” said Charles Everett, Executive Director of the airport authority.

Additional static aircraft displays will include some popular “warbirds.” World War II era aircraft on the ground include: the P-51 Mustang, viewed by many as the best fighter of the war, the British Spitfire, a truly classic and beautiful design, the North American B-25 bomber, made famous by the daring Doolittle Raid on Japan and the trainer that taught countless pilots how to fly…the venerable T-6. From corporate jets to flying club aircraft, there will be aircraft of all shapes and sizes to be seen on the air show grounds.

The Sands Lehigh Valley Air Show is one of the few air shows taking place in Pennsylvania this year. In addition to static displays and a classic car show, there will also be a jet team, flight performances, sky diving demonstrations, exhibitors, food vendors and sponsored special events. Airshow gates will open at 9 AM, with performances from 12-4 PM. Ticket prices are as follows: Adults $12 advanced sales/ $15 at the gate, Children (4-11) $6 advanced sales/ $8 at the gate, Military (active/retired with valid ID) $10 at the gate. Children under 4 are free. Advance tickets are available now at Sands & Co., all Wegmans locations, 26 local TopStar locations beginning Friday July 12, the Lehigh Valley International Airport Monday-Friday 8a-4p, and www.lehighvalleyairshow.com. The airshow entrance will be located on Race Street, just off Airport Road. Parking is permitted only in designated areas and will be offered free to airshow guests. Remote shuttle parking will be available. For more info visit: www.lehighvalleyairshow.com or www.facebook.com/flylvia.