Thunderbirds coming to Forbes

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Aug 4, 2002 by Capital-Journal

Ticket distributions for Family Freedom Day:

Aug. 8 --- 5 to 6:34 p.m., Jerry's Thirftway, 880 Lakin St., Osage City.

Aug. 9 --- 3 to 7 p.m., Honda Sport, 4806 S.W. Topeka Blvd.

Aug. 10 --- noon to 2 p.m., Home Smart Homes, 4919 S.W. Topeka Blvd.

Aug. 14 --- 5:30 to 7:04 p.m., Runza Restaurant, 3418 W. 6th, Lawrence.

Aug. 17 --- 2 to 3:34 p.m., Line X Bedliners, 701 S.W. Fairlawn Rd.

Aug. 23 --- 5 to 6:34 p.m., to be announced.

Aug. 24 --- noon to 2 p.m., Honda Sport, 4806 S.W. Topeka Blvd.

Aug. 30 --- 5 to 6:34 p.m., to be announced .

Aug. 31 --- 1:30 to 3:04 p.m., Runza Restaurant, 3418 W. 6th, Lawrence.

Sept. 7 --- 11:30 a.m. to1:30 p.m., Home Smart Homes, 4919 S.W. Topeka Blvd.

Sept. 13 --- 5 to 6:34 p.m., to be announced.

Sept. 14 --- 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Home Smart Homes, 4919 S.W. Topeka Blvd.

Sept. 20 --- 5 to 6:34 p.m., to be announced

Sept. 21 --- 2 to 3:34 p.m., Line X Bedliners, 701 S.W. Fairlawn.

Sept. 27 --- 5:30 to 7:04 p.m., Runza Restaurant, 3418 W. 6th, Lawrence.

Family Freedom: Event combines Wings Over Topeka, 97 Country fan appreciation concert

The Capital-Journal

Three elite demonstration teams considered among the world's best at performing aerial stunts will appear next month during Family Freedom Day at Forbes Field.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, Canadian Snowbirds and U.S. Army Golden Knights will be featured as part of a new event that combines an air show and country music concert.

Organizers say 70,000 tickets are available for Family Freedom Day, which will take place on Sept. 28.

The show combines the Wings Over Topeka event of the 190th Air Refueling Wing with a fan appreciation concert sponsored annually by 97 Country.

"This is just going to be huge. We have something for everyone," said Carla Newman, promotions director for 97 Country.

The popular country station will be changing to 94 Country in the upcoming month.

The new daylong event, which begins when the gates open at 10 a.m., involves an air show, a concert and a fireworks display.

The air show features:

- The Thunderbirds, a flying team created by the Air Force in 1953 to show off its best pilots and fighter planes to the public.

- The Golden Knights, an Army parachute team that has won more than 60 world championships during more than 40 years of performing aerial acrobatics.

- The Snowbirds, an aerobatic team featuring the best of the Canadian Air Force.

Australian Keith Urban will be one of the featured country singers.

The band Sawyer Brown, which made its national television debut on Star Search in 1984, also will perform.

The concert also includes Dennis Lee Rogers, an Indian dancer and the USO Show.

Newman said tickets can be obtained for free if people go to the right place at the right time.

She said that some times, dates and locations for ticket distributions have been settled but that she expects more distributions will be announced.

The tickets also will be used for prize drawings, but people must be present to win.

Some of the prizes up for grabs include a Honda Rancher 350TM and a trip to the Country Music Awards in Nashville.

Family Freedom Day has several sponsors, including 97 Country, Wings over Topeka, 190th Air Refueling Wing, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority, Dr. Pepper Red Fusion, Amalgamated Transit Union/Topeka Transit, Topeka Convention and Visitors Bureau, Honda Sport, Line X Bedliners, Home Smart Homes, United Builders Supply and Gold & Silver Jewelers.