PICTURES: Weston Air Festival and Armed Forces Weekend 2022

Saturday and Sunday (June 25 & 26) saw scores of people flock to the beach as they eagerly awaited performances from the Gazelle Squadron to the iconic Red Arrows.

Weston Air Festival 2022. (Image: Plaster Communications)

As well as the air show, it was also Armed Forces Weekend where ex-servicemen and young cadets marched along the promenade to Beach Lawns.

Personnel then raised a flag and listened to Weston's mayor Cllr Sonia Russe give a speech on the work of the military.

Weston Air Festival military parade. Picture: Charlie Williams. (Image: Archant)

Weston Air Festival 2022. (Image: Plaster Communications)

Saturday saw heavy rain last for almost 20 minutes as the parade marched around midday, but it soon brightened-up as the day progressed.

Sunday's weather was much drier, hot and sunny too.

Weston Air Show 2022. (Image: Paul Box)

Weston Air Show 2022. (Image: Paul Box)

Families played on fun rides, bouncy castles and air soft guns, while also enjoying displays of old World War One and Two army vehicles.

Trade stands were a plenty, with candy floss, sweets and toys had by all.

Weston Air Festival 2022. (Image: Paul Box)

The festivities ceased on Sunday - with even more visitors than the previous day - when RAF Red Arrows performed acrobatics in tight formations from 4.30pm.

RAF Red Arrows Weston Air Show 2022. (Image: Paul Box)

Red Arrows squadron leader and announcer Graeme Muscat - or Red 10 - was helicoptered into Weston and landed on the beach to commentate the display.

RAF Red Arrows announcer. Picture: Charlie Williams. (Image: Archant)

RAF Red Arrows at Weston Air Festival 2022. (Image: Harry Dayment)

RAF Red Arrows at Weston Air Show 2022. (Image: Paul Box)

Traffic misery ensued however as hundreds of people tried to exit Beach Road car park. Motorists were left stranded for more than an hour as cars remained at a standstill on Marine Parade.

Weston Air Festival 2022. Picture: Charlie Williams. (Image: Archant)

Weston Air Festival 2022. Picture: Charlie Williams. (Image: Archant)

Weston Air Festival 2022. Picture: Charlie Williams. (Image: Archant)

Crews from St John's Ambulance. Picture: Charlie Williams. (Image: Archant)

Weston Air Festival 2022. Picture: Charlie Williams. (Image: Archant)

Weston Air Festival 2022. (Image: Plaster Communications)

RAF Red Arrows Weston Air Show 2022. (Image: Paul Box)

Weston Air Festival 2022. (Image: Plaster Communications)

Weston Air Festival 2022. Picture: Charlie Williams. (Image: Archant)

Weston Air Festival 2022. Picture: Charlie Williams. (Image: Archant)

Weston Air Festival 2022. (Image: Plaster Communications)

Weston Air Festival 2022. Picture: Charlie Williams. (Image: Archant)

Weston Air Festival 2022. (Image: Plaster Communications)

Weston Air Festival 2022. Picture: Charlie Williams. (Image: Archant)

Weston Air Festival 2022. Picture: Charlie Williams. (Image: Archant)

Weston Air Festival 2022. (Image: Plaster Communications)

Weston Air Festival 2022. (Image: Plaster Communications)

Weston Air Festival 2022. Picture: Charlie Williams. (Image: Archant)

Weston Air Festival 2022. (Image: Plaster Communications)

Weston Air Festival 2022. Picture: Charlie Williams. (Image: Archant)

Weston Air Festival 2022. Picture: Charlie Williams. (Image: Archant)

Weston Air Festival 2022. Picture: Charlie Williams. (Image: Archant)

Weston Air Festival 2022. Picture: Charlie Williams. (Image: Archant)

RAF Red Arrows fly over Weston Bay. (Image: Paul Box)

Weston Air Festival 2022. (Image: Plaster Communications)