Going to Airshows
Contributed by: John Wilder
Most people have never gone to an air-show. Parents are always looking for no or low cost fun activities to take their kids to. I took my kids to air shows for years. They have much going for them as a family activity.
Air shows on military bases are always free. Air shows at other venues are always low cost, usually about $7 for adults and much lower cost or no cost for children. There is almost always free parking at the shows. Your kids can run free over acres and acres at the airport. They are going to be totally wiped out by the end of the day and ready to go home and rest.
Even young children will marvel at the static displays of aircraft on the ground. They will be absolutely mesmerized by the aerobatics of the planes in the air and skydivers dropping out of the sky close by. Not only that, but the planes are loud which appeals to kids of all ages.
The other aspect that makes this family friendly is that most air shows will allow you to bring in coolers. If you don’t want to bother with coolers, the food vendors are always very reasonably priced making this activity very family affordable.
You can plan ahead by going to airshows.com and seeing schedules for air shows all over the country, where they are being held and the dates.
There is an air show that is worth traveling for. It is the second largest air show in the country. That is at Oshkosh Wisconsin. They are home of the Experimental Aircraft Assn. They average over 10,000 planes on display. The aerobatics are the best in the country. The other big plus is that you get free admission to one of the preeminent aircraft museums in the country with your ticket admission. They also have campgrounds adjacent to the air show area.
I believe that if you go once, you will make it a family tradition. Just be sure to remember sun glasses for all and absolutely sun screen for all because you will be in the sun all day. A cap with a brim is also especially helpful as you will spend a fair amount of time looking up into the sky.
John Wilder is a Cool Old Guy that has over 15 years in the construction industry and is an award winning contractor. He is a contributor for the LOWES FOR PROS website and has also been interviewed several times for the National Board of Realtors web site on home improvement subjects.