GULF SHORES, Ala. – The first two weekends in April, besides having the Easter holiday, also provide a variety of entertainment for Pleasure Island.

On April 14 Jack Edwards National Airport will bring back the Aviation Days for the second year in a two-day event. Friday is devoted to students and Saturday the general public is welcome.

This weekend, Blonde John’s Surf and Skate Shop will host a skim board competition at the public beach. The shop has three or four competitions each year.

Also, the store’s manager, John McElroy, was approved by the City Council to continue running the city’s skate park. Director of Recreation and Cultural Affairs for Gulf Shores Grant Brown made the recommendation.

At the airport on April 13, school kids will have the run of the place as more than 30 aircraft are expected to be on hand for the event.

“All of the branches of the military will be there,” Assistant Airport Manager Jerri Thompson said. “We are working directly with the school board this year and we’ve got a commitment of between 300 and 500 students coming.

“We’ve got an appointment to meet about the Aviation Academy and some of the classes we are offering. We’re going to try and work with them to provide some of those classes to the students.”

Students call also win introductory pilot lessons through an art competition.

“Last year we gave away nine introductory pilot lessons to students that entered that competition,” Thompson said. “We’re doing that again this year. We expect a big turnout.”

Those attending will be asked to park just outside the airport in a parking lot where the city will provide shuttle buses to take people to the show. There will be signs directing people where to park and where to catch the shuttles.

Among the planes coming in are an Osprey, a World War II Navy fighter plane, the Corsair and a C-130 which is the same model used by hurricane hunters.

Brown said the skim competitions always draw a crowd and the local shop does a good job putting them on.

“He did it in spring, summer and fall last year,” Brown said. He does it very well. He brings in people from out of town to participate so it’s a little bit of an economic boost.

“He sets his tent up near the water’s edge. He only requires about a 50- or 65-foot section of the waterfront area. It works well. It draws attention, yes, but its good attention.”

McElroy is also expected to be approved as the skate park manager by the council. He was the only bidder for the contract and is currently running facility in Sims Park just west of Bodenhamer Recreation Center.

“He’s been an excellent operator. I’ve had no complaints for over a year,” Brown said. “We had some earlier complaints with the ramping as we tried to muffle it because of the sounds that the skateboards hit. We’ve tried to muffle it the best we can.”

The previous contract was for a year, but this proposal is for two years and increases the monthly amount from $2,400 to $2,600.

“The increase in expenses is specifically related to his insurance needs, his worker’s comp insurance and his liability insurance,” Brown said. I did analyze how much money it would probably cost the city to do this. I don’t think we could do it for this little amount of money. We would have to have multiple, additional part-time employees.

“I think it’s a win-win all around.”