BUSINESSES are being urged to back Cleethorpes Air Show – The Festival Of Flight and help put the resort on the map.
More than 100,000 people are expected to flock to the free event on July 27 and 28, lured by a combination of breathtaking aerial displays and land-based attractions.
Last year's inaugural event injected more than £3.1 million into the local economy – and the organisers are hoping the second show will be bigger and better.
Managing director Adam Johnson, who used to be in the RAF, said: "We are a not-for-profit organisation, so every penny we make goes towards making the following year's show even more of a success.
"The first event attracted 70,000 people and we're confident that this year's will be even better because we have some fantastic aircraft appearing.
"We're fortunate to have Cristal on board as our sponsors and now we're looking for other people and organisations within the community to pledge their support and help us generate national interest in the area."
Among the attractions will be fly-pasts by a Vulcan, the Red Arrows, the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight plus a display by the Red Devils parachute team
Bob Callison, who is one of the show's directors, added: "We need to establish Cleethorpes Air Show within the aviation calendar and set our dates early to ensure we get the best aircraft.
"We hope everybody will come on board and support the event because it will help put Cleethorpes firmly on the map."
Organisers have commissioned a painting by RAF technical aircraft artist John Fox, which depicts the moments before the Dambusters raid in 1943, especially for the occasion.
Prints will be available to buy at the show and all money raised will be split between the show and Grimsby and Cleethorpes Parachute Regiment Association.
An official launch was held at Laceby Manor Golf Club on Friday and organisers appealed to local businesses to support for show.
Sponsorship packages are available, with businesses being able to sponsor aircraft or take out adverts in the show catalogue.
Roger Burnett, who owns the golf club and RBP International, a marketing agency at Humberside Airport, said: "I live in Cleethorpes and I think this is a fantastic event for both the resort and the region as a whole.
"An air show is a guaranteed way to put a smile of people's faces and I hope everybody will come together to support it."
If you would like to get involved, visit www.cleethorpesairshow.co.uk
ON THE WEB: Visit www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk to see a video of action from last year's Cleethorpes Air Show.
