Sundown spectacular at Sun ‘n Fun

Airshow performances are beautiful, graceful, and inspiring any time of day, but night shows have their own ambience. The colors of the aircraft are brighter, the crescendo roar of the engines rings clearer, and the viewer’s focus is sharper against the contrast of the dark sky.

From the first thundering pass of the opening act of a P–51 Mustang and a Corsair speeding by in a low pass followed by a dramatic scissor pass, there was an audible "whoa!" from the audience. Every camera and cellphone in the crowd was raised to save a glimpse.

Then, as the sky slowly shifted from shades of red and orange to purple with the setting sun, an aerobatic team’s wings twinkled like fireflies above the announcer's excited commentary. Precision maneuvers choreographed to music matched up perfectly as mesmerized spectators' eyes followed the path of each twisting, diving, and dancing aircraft.

The whirling, buzzing motors of the brightly-lit paraglider team brought an audible wave of happy approval from the crowd. Something so new—and fun—to see had spectators smiling and imagining what flying as free as a bird must really feel like. Seeing the pilot in full view brought a huge ovation and whistles and cheers from the crowd as the modern music wound down at the team's finale.

One spectator in particular was nearly overwhelmed by this dazzling display of sight and sound. Felipé Nasimento, visiting from Brazil, said this was his first airshow of any kind. “This is… just, just amazing! To be able to be so close to this action!” Not having spectacular airshow events like this at home, he explained, the overall experience of being there was an emotional and inspirational one for the student pilot.

The closing acts did not disappoint, with even more pyrotechnics and a team of aircraft lit up with LEDs in a colorfully coordinated and beautiful design. The smell of the pyro from the ground as airplanes zoomed low put the audience right in the middle of the action while the formation skydiving team traced glittering golden sparkling paths as they gently descended to earth.

The announcer finally brought the narrative to a close for the highly appreciative crowd, which roared and cheered its approval. The sky returned to quiet darkness as the dazzled spectators made their way out.