LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Laughlin’s ‘Fiesta of Flight,’ featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, is 11 days away. In preparation for the event, community members are encouraged to take advantage of the tailgating area.
Below is information on the tailgating area, gate operations, as well as driving directions.
Tailgating area
For the first time ever in Laughlin’s history, a special tailgating area is designated for community members to have a chance to enjoy air acts without having to combat traffic or large crowds on the installation. In an effort to ensure a safe, family-friendly environment, the following are guidelines for the tailgating area.
Guests looking for a more relaxed and unique opportunity to view the event from the comfort of their own vehicle, lawn or, camp chair, etc., are welcome to utilize the Fiesta of Flight Tailgating Area, which opens at 8:00 AM on Saturday, 12 May 18. Guests will be allowed to bring their own food and drink, (see the tailgating policy on our website).
Guests interested in pursuing the Tailgate option will only enter Laughlin Air Force Base via the Northeast Entrance and will follow the signs to the Tailgate Area. Please note that any Guests electing to use the Tailgate Area will not be granted further entry to the event and will be restricted to the Tailgate Area only.
If guests are interested in gaining access to the LAFB ramp to view/tour aircraft on static display and other entertainment/educational displays, should opt to park in Lot A or Lot B as conditions permit. Guests are reminded to review the Prohibited Items List prior to entering LAFB. Please note that the Tailgate Parking Area is a closely mowed grassy surface, so guests should plan their footwear and attire accordingly.
Gate opening and operations
The north gate & tailgate parking areas open to the public at 8:00 am Saturday, 12 May 18. Upon entering the installation, people will be directed to the appropriate parking areas. Shuttle services will be offered at the designated parking areas.
Due to the use of a mandatory Aerobatic Safety Box a 1,000 yard segment of US Highway 90 (in both the Eastbound and Westbound lanes of traffic) will be closed from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM on Saturday, May 12, 2018. All traffic will be required to use a TxDOT-approved detour.
Due to this closure, members of the public will not be allowed to enter Laughlin Air Force Base (LAFB) after 3:00 PM on Saturday, May 12. Between the hours of 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM, members of the public parked in Lot A or the ADA Lot (see below) will be required to proceed via US HWY 90 Westbound exit through the North Gate. Between the hours of 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM, members of the public parked in the Tailgate Parking Area will be required to exit LAFB via the “Northeast Entrance” and then via US HWY 90 Eastbound.
Any members parked in the Overflow Parking Area (Lot B) who wish to depart LAFB prior to 3:00 PM will need to return to their vehicle via the parking shuttle prior to 3:00 PM. No overflow parking shuttles will be in operation between the hours of 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, due to the Aerobatic Safety Box and there will therefore be no access to Lot B until after 5:00PM.
Parking
Option 1 (Lot A):
Guests looking to view the show from center stage and have the most hands-on experience will follow traffic control signs and Texas Department of Public Safety officer instructions, to enter LAFB via the main North Gate entrance off of US Highway 90. Guests traveling from both directions of US 90 East and US 90 West will be able to enter through the North Gate.
Guests entering through the North Gate will be directed towards Parking Lot A (see associated map) where they will park and then be directed to the Main Security Checkpoint for entry to the event (see associated Prohibited Items List for items that guests may not bring onto LAFB). Please note that Parking Lot A is a, closely mowed grassy surface so guests should plan their footwear and attire accordingly.
Note on handicap/disabled Parking: In accordance with The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) LAFB is providing a separate, paved parking area, which is ADA compliant and is closer to the Air Show Centerline. To gain access to the ADA parking lot guests will need to enter via the North Gate and follow posted signs and security police instructions to merge into the right-most lane of traffic. Guests will then be directed to drive down Liberty Avenue and follow posted signs and detours to the ADA lot. After parking and departing their vehicles, guests will be allowed entry to the event after undergoing a security screening at the ADA point of entry. Please note that the ADA parking lot is located directly across the street from the ADA point of entry; however ADA-compliant transportation shuttles will be made available for any guests that require them.
Guests looking to park in the ADA lot will need to have one of the following:
-A Texas DMV-issued Blue (permanent) or Red (temporary) disabled window placard
-An International Symbol of Access (ISA) disabled license plate
-A Texas DMV-issued Disabled Veteran license plate
-Any other valid, state-issued disabled parking permit or license plate
Option 2 (Lot B):
Parking in Lot A will be on a first come, first served basis. Once Lot A reaches maximum capacity, further general public entry to LAFB via the North Gate will not be allowed (please note that ADA entry through the North Gate will be allowed to continue). General public guests will be directed via posted signs and Public Safety Officer instructions to continue along US Highway 90 eastbound to enter via the Northeast Entrance (see associated map).
Guests will follow directions to proceed to the Overflow Parking Lot B. After parking and departing their vehicles, guests will undergo a security screening prior to boarding a shuttle that will transport them to the Main Security Checkpoint for entry to the event. Guests are reminded to review the Prohibited Items List prior to entering LAFB. Please note that Parking Lot B is a level, closely mowed grassy surface, so guests should plan their footwear and attire accordingly.
Directions
Laughlin AFB is located about 10 minutes from the City of Del Rio, Texas, 15 minutes from the International Bridge to Ciudad Acuña and 3 hours from San Antonio, Texas, just off of Highway 90.
If you have any further questions visit the Open House website at www.laughlinopenhouse.com. Also included is an associated map for parking and base access points.
For more information, contact 47th FTW Public Affairs at 298-5044/5262, or email 47FTWPA.Tasker@us.af.mil