Southwest Airlines is proud to celebrate 25 years of service at Nashville International Airport and will host an anniversary party today. National radio and television personality, Storme Warren will emcee the event from noon-1:00 p.m. at the Bridgestone Arena Plaza. There will be FUN for the whole family at Nashville’s “birthday party” including free soft drinks, hotdogs, ice cream, and cupcakes and music from 650 AM WSM radio. Attendees can also play games to win tickets to this Saturday’s Grand Ole Opry shows featuring Carrie Underwood, Pam Tillis, Tommy Shaw, and more, enter with GNASH to win Predators tickets, and even submit their names to win roundtrip tickets from Southwest Airlines!

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean will speak at the event along with Butch Spyridon, President of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Raul Regalado, President and CEO of Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, to honor the long-standing and successful partnership that has developed between Nashville and Southwest over the past 25 years. To celebrate in true Nashville style, the event will conclude with a free concert by former American Idol contestant and CBS Early Show contributor, Ayla Brown.

The low-fare carrier will also be announcing the start of its newest promotion, “Get Amped Up in Music City!” Contestants can enter the sweepstakes at www.southwest.com/getampedup for a chance to experience a high-voltage 4th of July weekend of music from rock and pop to metal and country all live from the music capital of the world. Today through June 15, 2011, Southwest will give away weekly prizes ranging from Opry tickets, autographed Darius Rucker CDs, and more. One lucky winner and guest will be chosen for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Nashville where they will find themselves hanging out with Darius Rucker on the 4th of July, sitting on the stage of the famed Grand Ole Opry, singing along with U2, being escorted around like a star, and so much more! 

Since 1986 Southwest Airlines and Nashville International Airport have been able to create and sustain an important and beneficial partnership. With this event, they hope to mark the beginning of 25 more great years!