After the wash out of last year’s Autumn Festival, Armidale Regional Council is quite literally taking the focus of this year’s event to the sky.
The skies over Armidale will come alive this April as the southern hemisphere’s largest formation aerobatic display team performs a special fly-over at the 2025 Armidale Autumn Festival.
Freedom Formation, a team of 13 passionate aviators, will deliver their signature multi-layer display routine at 11:45am, just before the Autumn Festival parade begins at 12 noon on Saturday, April 5.
The team’s performance will feature 12 Vans RVs and one Yak 55 aircraft executing a series of manoeuvres that showcase the precision and skill of formation aerobatics.
“We use these aircraft to showcase our passion for aerobatics, formation flying and general aviation,” said a spokesperson from the team.
“The Freedom Formation Display Team is made up of 13 aviators who want to share their enthusiasm for aviation with the members of the public and inspire the next generation to pursue their dreams.
“The team come from all walks of life including retirees, former airline captains, tech, construction and small business owners.”
The aerobatic display is expected to be a highlight of the Autumn Festival, which has become a major community event in Armidale.
Alongside the aerial spectacle, this year’s festival will feature the popular street parade, which will commence at 12 noon. The parade was previously scheduled for 12:30pm but has been brought forward. Other key events include Breakfast with the Band, the Campus to City Canter, and various markets and cultural events in the afternoon.
“Autumn has traditionally been an important season for our region that evokes so much community and civic pride for the wonderful city of Armidale,” said Armidale Regional Council Mayor Sam Coupland .
“The Autumn Festival not only marks the beginning of the Autumn season and the change of foliage; it’s also an opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate.
“The addition of the Freedom Formation Display Team and its fabulous aerobatic performance will only add to the excitement and anticipation of this great community festival.”
The Armidale Autumn Festival has long been a much-anticipated event, drawing visitors from across the region and beyond. The festival showcases the vibrant culture and spirit of Armidale, providing a platform for community groups, performers, and businesses to engage with the public.
For more information about the 2025 Autumn Festival, visit: www.armidale.nsw.gov.au/Our-region/Events/Armidale-Autumn-Festival.
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