Thrills found in air, on land, in water

Adrenaline-inducing speed is the theme at festivals in the Southeast devoted to the thrill of speed boats, hot-air balloons, race cars and military jets.

“Whether it’s in a car or a plane or a boat, people love speed,” said Woody Bailey, executive director of Smokin’ the Sound, a speedboat festival in Biloxi, Miss. “They love adventure. They love to seek out the thrills. It gives folks a little break from everyday life.”

Here are four that will get your heart racing.

Florida International Air Show, Punta Gorda, Fla.

More than a dozen vintage and military aircraft will take flight at the 30th annual Florida International Air Show. The star attraction is the Harrier AV-8B, a jet that can hover like a helicopter and doesn’t need a runway to land or take off.

Aircraft available for viewing include a B-25 bomber and a C-130 Hurricane Hunter.

Additional attractions include aircraft-related exhibits, rides, a kids zone and memorabilia vendors. Visitors who want the VIP treatment can buy a Flight Deck Tent package ($60 adults, $25 kids) that includes special seating, a buffet meal and drinks.

Florida International Air Show. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 10-11, $18-$20 adults, $5 kids ages 2-12.

Upgrade packages available. Charlotte County Airport, 28000 A-1 Airport Road. 941-575-9007, www.floridaairshow.com

Stay: The Wyvern Hotel. Order breakfast on the roof overlooking Florida’s Gulf Coast. $129-$159. 101 E. Retta Esplanade. 941-639-7700, www.thewyvernhotel.com

Eat: Bella Luna Italian Restaurant. The owners claim this is the only Italian restaurant in Charlotte County owned and operated by Italians. Entrees $12-$26. 1200 W. Retta Esplanade. 941-575-4544, www.bellaluna-restaurant.com

Info: Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, 941-639-2222, www.charlotte countychamber.org.

Food Lion Speed Street, Charlotte, N.C.

The heart of the Queen City’s uptown is transformed into a three-day outdoor celebration of fast cars and NASCAR stars in this 16th annual festival sandwiched between NASCAR’s All-Star race and the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

Attractions include scheduled signings with NASCAR stars, live music on three stages, in-car simulators, a kids’ play area and vendors selling food and race memorabilia.

Food Lion Speed Street 2010: May 27-29. Free. Events begin daily at noon. Uptown Charlotte from Third and Church streets to Ninth and Brevard streets. 704-455-5555, www.600festival.com

Stay: The Blake Hotel. This recently renovated 308-room hotel is three blocks from the festival. $109-145. 555 S. McDowell St. 704-372-4100, www.blakehotelnc.com

Eat: Lola’s. Uptown soul food restaurant known for its cornbread and fried pork chops. Entrees $8-$10. 300 S. Brevard St., Charlotte. 704-353-3545.

Info: Charlotte Convention and Visitors Bureau. 800-722-1994, www.charlottesgota lot.com.

Smokin’ the Sound, Biloxi, Miss.

This four-day festival features offshore speedboats that compete in escalating speed classes on an 8-mile course just off I-90 and Biloxi’s Casino Row. The smoke in the fest’s name refers to the aftereffects of boats hitting up to 190 mph on the Gulf waters.

“Our course is located between the beaches of Casino Row and the Barrier Islands,” executive director Bailey said. “Fans are getting as close to the action as they’ll ever get.”

For the best view of the races, head to the top of the parking garages at the Hard Rock and Beau Rivage casinos with your VIP wristband.

Then hit the Race Village, where the boats and the crews are on hand to show visitors their $100,000 engines.

Smokin’ the Sound: May 20-23. $10-$25 for premium and VIP wristbands, free for children under 12. Casino Row off I-90. 228-594-3442, www.smokinthesound.com

Stay: IP Casino Resort. This 32-story, 1,088-room hotel on the Back Bay features a spa and an aerobics and yoga complex. $99-179. 850 Bayview Ave. 228-436-3000, www.ipbiloxi.com.

Eat: Mary Mahoney’s. Right around the corner from the Hard Rock premium viewing area, this family-run Gulf Coast landmark has been serving seafood and steak for 46 years. Locals rave about the stuffed snapper. Entrees $18-33, 110 Rue Magnolia. 228-374-0163, www.marymahoneys.com

Info: Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau, 11975 Seaway Road, Gulfport. 888-467-4853, www.gulfcoast.org

Freedom Weekend Aloft, Simpsonville, S.C.

When a film producer asked the Chamber of Commerce in 1982 to help create an air-balloon scene for his movie, little did he know he would start a beloved tradition.

That celluloid moment launched an annual festival that has been filling the skies over Simpsonville with brilliantly colored balloons ever since.

Eighty to 100 hot-air balloons will launch between 6 and 8 p.m. each day.

Other festivities include the Disc Dog Nationals tournament, music performances by Corey Smith and others, amusement rides, midway games, baseball and lacrosse tournaments and a kids’ zone with jugglers, magicians and Wii games.

Hot-air balloon rides are $175 per person. Tethered rides are $15 adults, $10 kids.

Freedom Weekend Aloft. May 28-31. $5 in advance at BiLo grocery stores, $10 at the gate, free for children 12 and younger; free admission for all May 31. Parking $5 ($4 if purchased at BiLo). Heritage Park, 861 S.E. Main St. 864-399-9481, www.freedomweek end.org

Stay: Garden House Bed and Breakfast. A three-story, five-guest-room house built in 1905 with a parlor and three covered porches. $99-$149. 302 S. Main St. 864-963-3379, www.gardenhousebb.com

Eat: Stella’s Southern Bistro. A family-owned Southern comfort food haven. Entrees $16-$25. 684-C Fairview Road. 864-757-1212, www.stellasbistro.com