Elements of the Air Force Band, shown here performing Aug. 24, 2010, during Air Force Week New York City, will be featured during Air Force Week Cocoa Beach in Florida, which runs from Oct. 23 through Oct. 31. (U.S. Air Force photo/Lance Cheung) Air Force Week is here! Take advantage! by 1st Lt. Karl Wiest 45th Space Wing Public Affairs 10/22/2010 - PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- Designed to honor the accomplishments and sacrifices of all American Airmen, Air Force Week kicks off Oct. 23 in Cocoa Beach, Fla. With more than 35,000 Airmen currently deployed across the globe in support of contingency operations, the theme of this Air Force Week is Honoring Hometown Heroes. Free concerts, barbecues and numerous other events honoring Airmen will take place Oct. 23 through Oct 31. The official kick-off of Air Force Week is at the Cocoa Beach Pier on Oct. 26 at 4:30 p.m., complete with an Air Force Academy Wings of Blue parachute demonstration, flyovers, a free comedy show by a fellow Airman. Erin C. Conaton, the undersecretary of the Air Force, will speak at the proclamation ceremony, as will numerous other dignitaries including local leaders and others from across the country. Throughout the week, concerts from Air Force bands like Max Impact, Space-A and Tops In Blue will perform at different venues throughout Central Florida. The band, Lansdowne, recently featured on multiple Billboard charts and largely considered one of the top unsigned bands in the country by industry resources, is headlining at the Air Show Takeoff Party Oct. 29 beginning at 6 p.m at the pier. Space-A, the Air National Guard's southern-rock band, will open for Lansdowne. With a play list including the music of rock icons such as Van Halen and Maroon 5, Space-A is a compact group that delivers a big sound. Disney's Magic Kingdom will honor Central Florida's Airmen Oct. 26 with designated Hometown Heroes participating in their parades and with a flyover by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. The day at Disney will end with Patrick AFB's honor guard participating in a flag retreat ceremony. Hometown Heroes will be honored at SeaWorld Oct. 27 with performances by the Airmen of Note, the premier jazz ensemble of the United States Air Force Band, and by Patrick AFB's honor guard. Air Force Day at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., will feature a static display of an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter, military working dog and explosive ordnance disposal demonstrations, an F-16 Fighting Falcon fly over and more. Max Impact will open for Tops In Blue the evening of Oct. 28 at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Max Impact brings together the musical styles of today's top artists like Destiny's Child, Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera. Original Max Impact songs also are regularly featured as the band strives to fire up Airmen with pride in service and a renewed commitment to excellence. For more specific event times and information go to www.airforceweek.af.mil or www.facebook.com/airforceweek.