It’s all eyes upwards this weekend for Kent’s biggest free airshow.

Crowds of 200,000 visitors are expected to hit Folkestone seafront to see a huge range of aeroplanes and helicopters in flight.

This year’s Folkestone Airshow on Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8, features the ever-popular RAF Red Arrows display team, some of the world’s most iconic wartime aircraft and, new for this year, a display by the Breitling Wingwalkers.

The show’s organisers have pledged it will be the biggest and best airshow yet, and so the action won’t just be in the skies.

A freefall parachute team will drop in, dramatic sea rescue demonstrations will be staged, and there will be food stalls, bouncy castles, face painting and lots of other family-friendly attractions and a dramatic evening firework display.

“It’s a people’s event and everyone is passionate about it,” said Airshow manager Yvonne Holder.

The two-day spectacular is free to enter for visitors, though one of the biggest draws will be a ticket-only outdoor performance on Saturday night of the worldwide smash hit show Björn Again, based on the music of Abba.

AERIAL FEATS

Highlights of Saturday’s airborne displays will be the RAF Red Arrows, Breitling Wingwalkers, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the Sea King search and rescue helicopter, the Blades aerobatic display, and the Tucano T1 fast jet, among others.

Sunday will bring the Tigers freefall team, the Gnat display team, the Kent Spitfire and P-51 Mustang, among others.

Specific timings will be available in the official souvenir programme.

Free model-making

A ‘make and paint’ day will be held at the National Memorial to the Few to tie in with the Folkesotne Airshow.

The home of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust at Capel-le-Ferne will host a range of family activities and offer a chance to see progress on the new Wing building.

Hornby will provide Airfix models for visitors to make, paint and take home with them, all free of charge.

There will be a display by the Hawkinge Flyers, stalls from the local farmers’ market, a beer tent and a wide range of food stalls at the event this Saturday, June 7.

Gates open at 10am and entry is free. Visit www.battleofbritainmemorial.org

For the full online listings of events visit folkestoneairshow.com or for more information call 01303 246925.