Getting in and out of the parking lots at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa on Air Fest day can be a nightmare. But I took a tip from a listener a couple years ago and was in and out of Tampa Bay Air Fest in MINUTES instead of hours. I didn't get special treatment because I was a guy on the radio. I didn't bribe someone or buy some VIP ticket with a secret entrance. Anyone can do this. It was free and so easy to do. It blew my mind that so few do it.
Tampa Bay Air Fest is coming up Friday and Saturday March 29th and March 30th. This year there will be a civilian flight performance featuring the United States Air Force Thunderbirds. The good part is the event is 100% free. The bad part is the obvious. MacDill wasn't designed to have thousands of visitors. So getting in and out of Air Fest can take hours.
Before Air Fest
Gates open at 8am so the usual advice is to get your crew up super early. Once the parking lots fill up, they don't let anyone else on the base. The night before, you should pack sunscreen, sunglasses, hearing protection, hats and a big water bottle. Be sure to wear comfortable sneakers too because if you don't take my advice I'm about to give you, you're going to be doing a LOT of walking from your far away parking spot to the main gate. Not me. I've got a parking spot just a few feet from the entrance. But more on that in a moment.
MacDill also suggests you bring stuff for the kids to do because there's all that time spent in the car. Pack some games, a book or an iPad for them to play with. Kids aren't known for their patience. But do you really need to get stuck in your car for hours? No. You don't.
How to get in and out of Air Fest in 1 Hour or Less
You've waited long enough. The brilliant piece of advice a listener gave me was the game changer. Ride a bicycle into Air Fest. Breeze by the thousands of cars stuck in traffic and get the absolute best parking space in the lot... right next to the entrance. You won't have to wake up early. You won't even have to get there when gates open at 8am. Instead, drive to a nearby park - there are a dozen within a mile or two from MacDill. Park your car and just ride your bikes into the MacDill Avenue gate. Try not to laugh too hard at the poor people stuck in traffic as you pass them. It's rude.
Getting in and out of Air Fest Fast
You'll find bike racks right near the main entrance so bring a bike lock. Then just stroll in casually and pretend you've been stuck in traffic for hours too. While others will want to leave a little early and miss the best parts of the Thunderbirds performance so they can't beat some traffic out, you can enjoy the whole show. Just like on the way in, you'll ride right by all the cars stuck in traffic waiting to get out.
I went to my first Air Fest in 2022 when the Blue Angels were in town. After the big finale, from the time the show ended at MacDill, it was about an hour when we got back to Pinellas. An hour!
Air Fest is back this weekend at MacDill. There are no tickets needed - it's totally free. But if you're heading to MacDill for the first time there are some good things to know before you go! Any other tips you can think of we should share? Tweet @GenoRadio and I'll include yours too!
#10: Leave the cooler home.
(Photo by Stephen Morton/Getty Images)You can't bring it in unless it's for medical supplies or infant formula. You can bring snacks in though. On site they'll be selling burgers, hot dogs, sausage sandwiches, pizza, drinks and desserts.
#9: Find a buddy with a boat.
Patrick Smith/Getty ImagesIf you can pull this off, this is the best way to watch! Just pay attention to the marked zones to avoid a costly ticket.
#8: Wear comfortable shoes.
Mark Metcalfe/Getty ImagesYou're going to do a lot of walking. Probably a lot more than you'd anticipate.
#7: Early birds win.
Fresco/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesThe line to get in is pretty legendary. Don't twist your neck trying to watch the jets fly by through your car windows. Gates open at 8am. Opening ceremonies start at noon. The Blue Angels fly at 3pm.
#6: Bike in!
Mike Ehrmann/Getty ImagesA super smart way to avoid the traffic. Get a little exercise and get in and out fast!
#5: Uber and Lyft are not the way to do it.
Matthew Horwood/Getty ImagesWhile it's not forbidden, it's probably not a smart idea to use ride sharing apps since there is a limited number of entry and exit points.
#4: Hydrate!
Scott Olson/Getty Images)Bring lots of bottled water or just a container - there will be stations with chilled water. No alcohol is allowed in though. But you can buy it at AirFest. Beer prices range from $5 (16 oz.) to $8 (22 oz.).
#3: Pretend you're going to the beach.
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)You think of it when you're headed to the beach, but bring all that stuff to the show... beach hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, a folding chair... the works! There is not much shade.
#2: Don't go crazy with big cameras.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty ImagesYou're going to take a ton of photos. While you CAN bring a fancy camera with one of those big lens, large camera bags are not permitted.
#1: Save a trip back to the car... or worse back home.
Tasos Katopodis/Getty ImagesForbidden items include anything that can be used as a weapon (obviously), laser pointers, drones, fireworks, pets, grills, glass, and as mentioned before, alcohol.
Listener tip: Protect those ears!
Chris Furlong/Getty ImagesFrom listener Rana: "If you are taking small children with you, take earplugs… years ago when my daughter was young , she cried it was so loud (it hurt her ears) and I had to leave."
