After bad weather grounded the holiday tradition last year, the annual Christmas Lights Flights event is taking Juneauites to the skies this Friday night in festive fashion.
From 4:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, helicopters operated by Coastal Helicopters will embark on flights over the Mendenhall Valley to give people a view of the holiday decorations. The helicopters will take off from the north wing of the Coastal Helicopters terminal.
The Mendenhall Flying Lions put on the event, which is a fundraiser for the American Children’s Tumor Foundation. Petro Marine Services and Coastal Fuel are also supporting the event.
Tickets are $30 each, and are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis Friday. There is no presale, Flying Lions President Donna Hurley said Tuesday. They will cap ticket sales at 350, Hurley said, to ensure that the pilots and others working the event can finish their work at a reasonable time.
If the helicopters are unable to fly Friday, Hurley said, the event will be rescheduled for Saturday evening. Last year, Hurley remembered, neither night was suitable for flying and the event was canceled altogether.
