Biloxi air show to feature huge food truck rally

When the “Blues over Biloxi” air show takes place July 21-22 in Biloxi, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels will be only part of the attraction for the beachfront airshow.

In an effort to keep the tens of thousands of spectators fed, “Blues Over Biloxi” will feature an army of  mobile food vendors, from three states and as far away as Tallahassee.

The airshow, which has drawn more than 150,000 visitors in the past, will be presented over the beach rather than at Keesler Air Force Base, which prompted the need for food and beverages.

“Instead of having one major contracted food provider with a limited menu or several food vendors serving generic event fare, we decided to spice it up a bit,” says Mark Boyd, Project Development Manager for David Schultz Airshows, co-producer of the show with the City of Biloxi.

“By bringing in a couple dozen gourmet food trucks you vary the menu options tremendously. Food trucks are famous for their exotic foodie meals and are quite reasonable, too,” Boyd says.

The air show, which is still enlisting sponsors and retail vendors, will be centered at the Great Lawn in front of co-title sponsors, Harrah’s Casino and The Blind Tiger.  Some sponsors will be able to entertain up to 100 VIP guests in their own 40’x80’ hospitality chalets at the very front of the viewing area.

Also added at the Great Lawn are a Camping, Sports, and Travel Corral with mroe than 40,000 square feet of display area for dealers of boats, RVs, motorcycles, jet skis, and automobiles.

“We are experiencing a terrific business response to the show and quite a number of companies are stepping up and purchasing everything from a program ad all the way up to upper-tier sponsorships just because ‘it’s a great thing for the Mississippi Gulf Coast and we want to see it become an annual event,'” says Boyd.

The Blind Tiger is planning a concert both nights beginning shortly after the Blue Angels show and continuing until dark.  According to Boyd, “Instead of everyone trying to get home at once, this should alleviate some of the traffic issues common to huge outdoor events.â€

Anyone wishing to know more about attending or joining the show as a sponsor or vendor should visit www.biloxiairshow.com or contact Boyd at mboyd@schultzairshows.com.