More than 500,000 aviation enthusiasts head to Oshkosh, Wis., every year for the week-long EAA AirVenture Oshkosh to see the 10,000 airplanes the world-class event attracts.
Not only is it the place to see the latest aircraft innovations, see aviation’s top personalities and talk everything airplanes with people from around the world, AirVenture is an inexpensive vacation for the entire family. Kids 5 and under receive free admission and student passes for kids 6-18 are heavily discounted.
Here are just 10 of the many reasons why you and your family should venture to AirVenture July 23-29:
10 Fun Fly Zone
The Fun Fly Zone features ultralight planes, powered parachutes and trikes, hot air balloons, home-built rotorcraft and light-sport aircraft. Get up close to the many daily aircraft operations, including morning and evening ultralight flying. It also hosts the Twilight Flight Fest on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings that features the Paradigm Aerobatic Team, the Patriot Parachute Team and the Red Bull Air Force skydivers.
9 Airbus Fly-In Theater
The Fly-In Theater is reminiscent of the famous drive-in theaters of the past. From the comfort of your lawn chair or blanket, enjoy Hollywood classics projected on a five-story screen. And there’s free popcorn, too! Each evening’s show begins at about 8:30 p.m. (9:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday).
8 Salute to Veterans Parade
At 1:30 p.m. July 27, any veteran in attendance is encouraged to assemble at the south end of Warbird Alley for a special welcome to open up the afternoon air show. The parade starts at the south end of Warbird Alley, continues down the flightline and ends at Boeing Plaza.
7 EAA Aviation Museum
Marvel at aviation innovations in the collection of more than 200 historic aircraft. Spend time in one of the four theaters and get “hands-on” in the KidVenture Gallery, an exciting interactive gallery for kids of all ages.
6 Theater in the Woods
Theater in the Woods hosts historic programs that provide the perfect conclusion to busy days on the flightline–relaxed, informative and entertaining.
5 Special interactive exhibits
There’s a world of discovery inside special exhibits such as EAA’s Spirit of Aviation trailer, as well as mobile and hands-on exhibits from such groups as NASA and the Red Tail Squadron that honors the Tuskegee Airmen.
4 KidVenture
Kids can experience hands-on aviation-based demonstrations and presentations. Highlights include eight A&P booths where kids can acquire basic building skills as well as Condor flight simulators and Kiddie Hawk flight trainers. KidVenture is open 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday.
3 Opening night concert
This year’s concert features Dustin Lynch with Maddie & Tae on Monday, July 23.
2 Night air shows
Be dazzled by two night air shows featuring precision aerobatics, pyrotechnics and concluding with thunderous fireworks on Wednesday, July 25, and Saturday, July 28.
1 Daily air shows
The world’s best aerobatic pilots make Oshkosh a priority for their air show performance schedule because they have the opportunity to strut their stuff in front of peers in the aerobatic community, as well as perhaps the most aviation-savvy audience on the planet. Daily 2:30-6 p.m. July 23-29 and 1-4:30 p.m. Sunday, July 29.
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If you go
AirVenture 2018, Oshkosh, Wis., July 23-29
Get tickets here
Find more info, including lodging options and full schedule, at eaa.org.
