WBCA Stars and Stripes Air Show Spectacular

LAREDO, TX – The Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association (WBCA) has formally announced Brigadier General William “Bill” Hall as the air show marshal for the 2014 WBCA Stars and Stripes Air Show Spectacular Sponsored by Miller Lite. Along with Brigadier General Hall the WBCA is pleased to announce the entertainment lineup for the 16th annual WBCA Stars and Stripes Air Show Spectacular.

The WBCA Stars and Stripes Air Show Spectacular Sponsored by Miller Lite will take place during the 117th Washington’s Birthday Celebration on Sunday, February 16, 2014 at the Laredo International Airport (Maher Entrance). Tickets for the event are $5 for adults and free for children 12 and under. Preferred seating and viewing locations will be available for purchase inside the air show grounds: Flight Line $20; Bleachers $5; Afterburner Sponsored by Falcon International Bank ticket $50. In-Kind Sponsor includes Rudy’s BBQ.

“We are honored to be a part of the Washington’s Birthday Celebration and its efforts to bring all of Laredo together to participate and enjoy themselves,” said Kiko Treviño, Vice President of Southern Distributing Company, distributors of MillerCoors products. “The Stars and Stripes Air Show has always been an opportunity for South Texas to celebrate with family and friends and to honor the accomplishments of our nation’s military.”

Brigadier General William “Bill” Hall assumed duties as the Commanding General of the Arizona Army National Guard on December 21, 2013. In this position, he is responsible for the 6,000 plus Soldiers and civilians of the Arizona Army National Guard, including eight major subordinate commands. He also serves as the principal advisor to the Adjutant General on employment of the subordinate units on state and federal missions.

Prior to this assignment, Hall was the Deputy Commanding General (Support), 36th Infantry Division, Austin, Texas. He was commissioned through ROTC from New Mexico Military Institute and entered the Texas Army National Guard (TXARNG) in 1987. His civilian education includes a Bachelor of Business Administration from Angelo State University and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. His military education includes the Armor Officer Basic and Advance Courses, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Command and General Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College.

BG Hall has commanded at every level from company through brigade. His field grade commands include commander of the Recruiting and Retention Battalion. During his tenure as commander, the TXARNG end strength increased from third in the nation to first. He then followed as commander, 2nd Battalion 112th Armored Regiment, where he deployed “TF Warhorse” to Al Anbar Province, Iraq in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.

General Hall received numerous awards which include Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with 4 Bronze Oak Leafs Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), National Defense Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Service Star), and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal just to name a few.

“My wife and I look forward to joining our friends in Laredo for a great weekend at the Air Show. We are grateful to the Washington Birthday Celebration Association for the invitation and the Laredo community for its tremendous support to the Texas National Guard” said General Hall.

With the naming of General Hall, he now becomes an official Ambassador for the 117thWashington’s Birthday Celebration.

“It is a great honor to announce that Brigadier General William A. Hall has accepted our invitation to serve as the Air Show Marshal for the 2014 WBCA Stars and Stripes Air Show Spectacular,” said Matt Gibson, Air Show Coordinator. “We all look forward to working with General Hall in 2014 and to having another successful year.”

This year the WBCA Stars and Stripes Air Show Spectacular Sponsored by Miller Lite will feature numerous headliners starting with the very first performance of “The Immortals”. An amazing collection of talent that features Kyle Franklin, Skip Stewart and Paul Stender. This amazing trio has joined forces to put on one of the more exciting and amazing acts in the entire Air Show industry. Franklin will take to the skies in his fearless ‘Dracula’ plane where he will take on the combined might of Skip Stewart’s equally impressive Prometheus plane and Stender with his amazing Jet Bus “School Time”.

Adding to the exciting line-up we have the always-popular Randy Ball and his MiG17, which never fails to amaze the crowds. Also on tap is Justin Lewis and his world famous Micro Jet. This is the same plane featured in the 1983 classic movie “Octopussy,” part of the James Bond film series.

This year, the Air Show Sponsored by Miller Lite will also feature some unforgettable antics courtesy of the Alabama Boys, who feature one of the more unique acts in the industry.

Other highlights of the show include: sky diving, T-28’s, and other amazing static displays featuring legendary aircrafts courtesy of Lewis Air Legends and much, much more!

Even with this incredible line up, the Air Show Sponsored Miller Lite, will remain one of the most affordable air shows in the country. Admission is just $5 for adults and children 12 and under gets in FREE. Tickets to the WBCA Stars & Stripes Air Show Spectacular Sponsored by Miller Lite can be purchased online at www.wbcalaredo.org. Tickets for all other 2014 Celebration events can be purchased beginning February 10th at the WBCA ticket kiosk inside Mall Del Norte — while supplies last! The WBCA Air Show Spectacular is proudly Sponsored by Miller Lite.

Throughout the years, the Celebration has grown to be over a month long and consists of parades, dazzling pageants, fireworks, a carnival, an air show, a sizzling jalapeño festival and much more. Combined, WBCA events attract nearly 500,000 residents and visitors, and contribute an estimated $14 million every year to the local economy.

The Washington’s Birthday Celebration was recently ranked as one of the Top 100 Events in North America by the American Bus Association (ABA) because of the excellent entertainment value it offers to both tour groups and individual travelers from around the world.

For additional information, click on the media tab at www.wbcalaredo.org, e-mail wbca@wbcalaredo.org, contact the WBCA office at (956) 722-0589, or visit 1819 E. Hillside Road in Laredo, TX.

Jorge L. Quijano
Marketing & Publicity Coordinator
Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association

Office: (956) 722.0589 Ext. 204
Cell: (956) 286.3357
Fax: (956) 722.5528
1819 E. Hillside Laredo, TX