BOSSIER CITY, La. (Ark-La-Tex Weekend) - Thousands of people descend on Barksdale Air Force Base
1. Sunscreen, hats and sunglasses! There are very few places with shade at the show. Unless you are one of the lucky ones who camps out under a wing, you will be out the sun. Avoid the Barksdale Burn by keeping the sunscreen on. You can not bring in a tent or beach umbrellas. Regular umbrellas are OK.
2. Comfy shoes. You will definitely be getting your steps in and standing around. There are not a lot of places to sit down. Reserved seating is available for a cost. You can bring a lawn chair with you. As you park, look for the buses that will shuttle you free of charge to the show entrance.
3. Headphones and/or ear plugs. This is highly encouraged for children. Jets and other aircraft will be buzzing the crowd. Plus they will be landing and pulling up close to the spectator area. They are loud!
4. Traffic will be difficult at the beginning of the show. If you need to travel near the base, stay off of Barksdale Boulevard. Use Arthur Ray Teague Parkway instead. Gates open at 9 a.m. so traffic will be very congested in the area near the West(Main) Gate and the North Gate. Follow the directions given to you by Barksdale members. Don’t arrive too late. In the past, the airshow used a contra-flow route to help move people out faster near the end of the show.
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5. Designate a meeting place. When you and your family arrive and pass through the security checkpoint, find a place to meet in case you get separated. The Lost Child area this year is located by the Budweiser Clydesdales and Hoban Hall. For a map of the spectator area, click here.
6. Drink plenty of water. You’ll be spending a good part of the day outside. According to the show’s information page, “Patrons may bring an empty water bottle to the show as free water stations will be available.” Water stations are near the south end of the food vendors and near the east end by the B-52 on display. You can not bring outside food or drink into the air show.
7. Remember you are on a military installation. Everyone and everything is subject to search at any point. I was once stopped and searched at the West Gate one year. It was a good experience but it did delay me getting in to see the event since they searched my car. For a list of what you can and can not bring in, click here.
8. Pick up after yourself. Trash and debris left on the ground could pose a risk to the planes after the show. Help keep Barksdale beautiful and safe.
9. Have the KSLA First Alert Weather App on your cell phone. Sunday looks to have a scattered chance of showers and maybe a few storms in the afternoon. Defenders of Liberty Air Show will also posts advisories and alerts on their Facebook page.
We hope these tips will make your air show adventure a better experience.
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