Durant, OK --- Get ready for big Smoke and Thunder as the Flash Fire Jet Truck makes its debut performance at Take to the Skies AirFest in Durant, Oklahoma, Saturday April 16th.

The Flash Fire Jet Truck has a fire breathing, jaw dropping 12,000 horsepower jet engine and reaches speeds exceeding 350 mph! Be amazed by the amount of flame, smoke, noise, and SPEED of this awesome Jet Truck which will actually race an airplane giving it a 150 mph head start and pass it like it's stopped! The Flash Fire Chevy Jet Truck is sponsored in Durant by Stuteville Chevrolet. It does 0-60 in just over one second with a Pratt & Whitney engine originally used in a Navy T-2 Buckeye jet.

Mark your calendars for April 16th as Take to the Skies AirFest, the largest Air Show in southern Oklahoma and North Texas returns with an edge of the seat exciting Air Show and family festival to Durant Regional Airport–Eaker Field and is presented by the Choctaw Casino Resort. The AirFest promises to provide something for everyone in an action packed day of fun for the entire family! Gates open at 10am and the Air Show begins at 2pm with a variety of aircraft performing dramatic flights and aerobatic performances, edge of your seat excitement for all! Mike “Spanky” Gallaway, announcer for the famous Red Bull Air Races and other prestigious events will have you jumping in excitement as he announces the show and he flies too! We are thrilled to bring back Randy Ball’s MiG-17 jet…feel that afterburner as he flies ground level in front of your eyes! The Trojan Phlyers Demo Team with their astounding warbird close formation aerobatics that will keep your heart pounding piloted by highly decorated combat veteran pilots demonstrating the flying expertise acquired in formal military training, the Trojan Phlyers demonstrate high speed action with the roar of the big engines as they fly their historic aircraft rich in military history in a unique and thrilling performance and salute the veterans or our great nation and the men and women who continue to serve and protect us today. Blue Skies Parachute team will open the show and kick off a great line up of performers. New this year will be the WWII bombers and fighters including the famous P-51 Mustang, B-25 and more from Cavanaugh Flight Museum who will perform and you can fly in them too! The 9 ship Falcon Flight formation team, Aviatrix Kate Kyer, Oklahoma’s own Randy Harris and this is just a sampling of our performers.

The event opens at 10:00am Saturday. Before and after the air show you will be entertained with a variety of aircraft including warbirds in static displays. Flights for the public will be available throughout the day in helicopters and historic warbirds. Don’t stay on the ground, break the bonds of earth and go fly! Visit concessions of delicious foods, exhibits and booths. The Kids’ Area has a variety of attractions for different ages. There are a lot of activities for all ages and Choctaw Nation cultural activities. So much to see and do!

“Shutik Isht Ia” is the Choctaw translation for “Take to the Skies”! Debby Standefer, President of the Take to the Skies AirFest, stated “we are very exited about this year’s show!” This will be the first Air Show of the season in Oklahoma and North Texas. Actually, this is not just an event; it is an experience that will affect all of your senses with something to offer every age. “We are thrilled to bring new performers every year, proud to honor our military and to celebrate Choctaw Country.” Opening Ceremonies at the start of the air show will be action packed including Choctaw dancers and singers, honor guard, flybys, skydivers and more! Bring the entire family!

“The attendance this event garners not only locally, but from spectators throughout the state, Lake Texoma, North and East Texas and Dallas gives us the ability to showcase and promote the growing airport and the wonderful city of Durant while at the same time becoming an important revenue source for the city through lodging, retail and food sales in town through the weekend. We are proud to have the support and work with the great Choctaw Nation and the Choctaw Casino Resort, Durant Regional Airport-Eaker Field, the City of Durant and SOSU,” Debby Standefer said.

Online discounted tickets are now available for the festival at only $8 for 13 and up, $5 kids 6-12, Seniors 65+ and military with ID. Kids under 5 free. Truly an experience and one you won’t soon forget, the Take to the Skies AirFest will take off Saturday April 16th 10am to 6pm. We’ll look forward to seeing you there!

For more information please visit our website, http://www.taketotheskiesairfest.com and follow us on Facebook or Twitter!