TOURISM TALK: Air Shows, Manned Rocket Launch, Power Boats Highlight Space Coast Events

By  //  April 24, 2021

PETER CRANIS: Tens of thousands of people lined beaches, causeways to watch historic launch

TDO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PETER CRANIS: Wow – what a week! First, last weekend we had the Cocoa Beach Airshow held back in Cocoa Beach for the first time since 2012. Looking ahead to May, the Melbourne Air Show will be happening May 15 and 16 at the Melbourne Orlando International Airport featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels who will be flying their new F-18 Super Hornet aircraft. Learn more HERE.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Wow, what a week! First, last weekend we had the Cocoa Beach Airshow held back in Cocoa Beach for the first time since 2012.

The crowds were estimated to be 40,000 and from the looks of the beach both Saturday and Sunday, this is very possible. We will get actual cellular device data in 6-8 weeks to verify the number of locals and out-of-town visitors that were there.

The numbers from the weekly STR report certainly support a very successful weekend for hoteliers and the tourism industry as a whole.

Occupancy was at 79.3% for Friday night and 87.6% for Saturday night.

The Average Daily Rate was at $126 and $131 respectively which is as good as it has been since COVID began. The weather held out and both days the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds were able to perform their new show.

And with the exception of the Valiant Air Command’s TBM Avenger that had to ditch in the ocean following an engine problem (no injuries thank goodness), the event came off without a problem.

AIR SHOW FANS GOT MORE THAN THEY EXPECTED at the recent Cocoa Beach Air Show when a Valiant Air Command World War II-era TBM Avenger was forced to ditch in the surf off Patrick Space Force Base due to engine failure while performing during the “Warbird Parade” portion of the air show. (Amber Ditmer images)
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Then Friday morning, we had another return to human space flight with four astronauts taking off aboard the Crew-2 Dragon spacecraft, powered by a Space X Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station.

The early morning launch went off without any issues. The four astronauts, NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, France’s Thomas Pesquet and Japan’s Akihiko Hoshide will arrive at the International Space Station on Saturday to begin their six-month mission.

Tens of thousands of people lined the beaches and causeways to watch the historic moment. This marks the third time astronauts have again launched from the Space Coast in a U.S. rocket since the Shuttle era program in 2011. We are truly living in historic times.

ABOVE VIDEO: Watch NASA’s SpaceX Crew-2 Launch to the International Space Station.

Looking ahead to May, the Melbourne Air Show will be happening May 15 and 16 at the Melbourne Orlando International Airport featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels who will be flying their new F-18 Super Hornet aircraft. Learn more HERE.

Also, the now well-known Thunder on the Beach offshore boat races will occur May 20-23 in Cocoa Beach for their 11th year. Speed boats in various classes will be competing – with the premier class reaching speeds of up to 175 miles per hour. Learn more here HERE.

Looking ahead to May, the Melbourne Air Show will be happening May 15 and 16 at the Melbourne Orlando International Airport featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels who will be flying their new F-18 Super Hornet aircraft. Learn more HERE. (U.S. Navy image)
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