Gearing up for the show
SUN PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES
Busy putting up the fencing on the air strip are Vinnie Madsen, Bill Paris and Joe Kliment.
SUN PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES
Fighting against the wind at the Punta Gorda Airport, the crew from Punta Gorda Rent All struggles to get the tents up.
SUN PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES
Bundled up to fight off the chill in the early morning air, Morgan Welch and Caitlynn Pavlovsky set up tables in the VIP area.
SUN PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES
On the scaffolding, volunteer John Rousseau gets electrical equipment set up for the weekend air performances
SUN PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES
Working the intricacies of the ground electrical equipment is volunteer Rob Rousseau.
SUN PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES
Posing briefly for a picture are members of the grounds crew volunteers, Anthony Cannady, Lyle Boss, Ken Witzke and Art Downs.
SUN PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES
Pilot Bill Gordon taxis Aurora, the 450 HP Stearman that wing walker Jane Wicker will perform on this weekend at the air show.
SUN PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES
Robert "Bucky" McQueen, right, president of the Florida International Air Show, greets the media at a press conference held Thursday at the Punta Gorda Airport as Bob Hall, the show's air boss, looks on.
SUN PHOTO BY DONNELL BATES
Jane Wicker steps out of her 450 HP Stearman bi-plane. Wicker will thrill audiences this weekend at the Air Show by walking on the wings of her plane, Aurora.
Getting ready for an air show takes a village, and that’s exactly what turned out Thursday at the Punta Gorda Airport. Volunteers from all over were busy putting up signs, fencing, tables, audio equipment, tents and more. While the wind whipped the tents and the temps were chilly, everyone was excited about the weekend of the 2013 Florida International Air Show celebrating its 33rd year. The day included a press conference in which show officials welcomed the media and some of the performers were available for interviews.
