World's only flying B-29 Superfortress visiting Sarasota-Bradenton Airport March 2-6

Sarasota-Bradenton Airport hosts last B-29

MANATEE -- The Commemorative Air Force AirPower History Tour is displaying the world's only flying B-29 Superfortress at Rectrix Aerodrome Center, 1234 Clyde Jones Drive.

The aircraft will be on display from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

The airplane will be accompanied by at least four vintage military aircraft, including a C-45, T-6 Texan, PT-13 Stearman and a T-34 Mentor. Visitors can tour the aircraft and purchase rides in some of them.

The Boeing B-29 Superfortress, first flown in 1942, began service in 1944 and is well known as the aircraft whose missions over Japan helped bring about the end of World War II. It was designed as a replacement for the older B-17s and B-24s, with longer range and greater bomb loads. The B-29 was also used in the Korean War in the early 1950s and was a staple of the U.S. Air Force until the late 1950s.

The Commemorative Air Force Red Tail Squadron, America's tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen, is also bringing its "Rise Above" traveling exhibit mobile theater to the event.

Information: commemorativeairforce.org.

Sheriff Steube to headline East Manatee GOP lunch

BRADENTON -- The East Manatee Republican Club will meet for luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 10.

Lunch costs $16.

Speakers will be Manatee County Sheriff Brad Steube and Deputy Sheriff Rick Wells, a candidate for sheriff.

Many candidates running for public office and the Manatee County School Board will be given time to speak at the Peridia Golf and Country Club.

Reservations: 941-739-3813 or longboatfl@aol.com.

St. Patrick's Day bash coming to Longboat Key

LONGBOAT KEY -- The Aging in Paradise Resource Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, will present the jazz arrangements of Al Hixon and jazz musicians, with vocals by Michelle Amato from 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, March 17, St. Patrick's Day.

Tickets cost $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

Proceeds benefit AIPRC's mission to provide quality solutions for local seniors enabling them to live with the highest possible level of health and independence.

A corned beef and cabbage dinner follows the concert from 5-7 p.m. for $15.

RSVP: maryannbrady@aginginparadise.org or call 941 383-6493 by March 8.

-- Herald staff reports

This story was originally published March 3, 2016 at 11:11 PM with the headline "World's only flying B-29 Superfortress visiting Sarasota-Bradenton Airport March 2-6 ."