Tampa Bay Airfest 2024 soars into MacDill Air Force Base this weekend, bringing with it extreme thrills and extreme traffic. Upwards of 150,000 visitors are expected to attend the free two day-event taking place Friday and Saturday, March 29-30.
Both MacDill AFB and the City of Tampa are encouraging visitors to ARRIVE EARLY to the base and be patient, as traffic is likely to back up quickly. Parking is also expected to fill up fast. Remember, gates open at 8 am.
Be on the lookout for the numerous traffic control signs, detours, and law enforcement officers directing traffic near the base. Keep in mind, typical travel lanes may be adjusted to ensure order and security. Also, there will be no inbound traffic allowed on side streets near MacDill AFB. Drivers should avoid South Himes Avenue altogether because of a full road closure due to construction from West Bay Avenue to Interbay.
Due to personnel and logistical issues, mass transportation for Tampa Bay Airfest 2024 will not be allowed. MacDill AFB also discourages guests from using ride share services and recommends guests carpool using their own transportation. Pedestrian and bicycles are allowed, but bicycle riders must wear a helmet to ride on base. Bike riders may enter through any gate.
Guests should be prepared for congestion and delays leaving the event as well.
IF YOU GO:
- Vehicles coming from South Tampa and areas of East Tampa should utilize the Dale Mabry and MacDill Ave. gates.
- Vehicles coming from areas of West Tampa should utilize S. Westshore Blvd to Interbay to enter the Tanker Way gate (just east of Manhattan Ave.).
- Bayshore Gate is ONLY for DoD/military ID cardholders. Everyone in the vehicle entering through the Bayshore Gate must possess a military ID. If you try to bring someone without a military ID as a passenger, you will be turned around and directed to one of the other three gates.
- Full road closure on S. Himes Ave (from W. Bay Ave. to Interbay) to due to construction.
- Boaters are permitted to view the event from the water, however, DO NOT ENTER the clearly marked MacDill Exclusion Zone around MacDill AFB or you will be given a very expensive ticket (NO WARNINGS WILL BE GIVEN OUT)!
- Drones are NOT permitted.
For additional event information, check out tampabayairfest.com or download the Tampa Bay AirFest 2024 app available for Apple and Android.
If looking on Facebook, visit the official MacDill Air Force Base Facebook page. All other pages on Facebook claiming to be “official” Tampa Bay AirFest pages are scams and are not affiliated with MacDill AFB.