Residents who love planes and flying might want to check out the Aviation Celebration on Saturday at the Durango-La Plata County Airport.
Called a static air show – no flyovers, but lots of parked planes to check out – the event, parking and food are free. It’s an open-house format, said Tony Vicari, operations specialist at the airport, so people can come and go as they please.
Aircraft will include military, emergency and private airplanes.
Some of the standouts, Vicari said, will be an F-16 fighter jet from Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora and a C-130 transport plane from Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque. FedEx and UPS feeder planes, 15 to 30 private aircraft and Tri-State Care Flight and Flight for Life helicopters will also be on hand.
Attendees will also get a chance for a closer look at the airport’s fire-and-rescue and snow-removal equipment.
The show was primarily organized by airport staff, Vicari said, but several community members helped.
“Al Harper, the owner of the (Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad), was one of the primary helpers,” he said. “He scouted close friends and acquaintances in the military to get those planes.”
There will be live music provided by the High Rollers, Durango High School Marching Band and The Rhapsodies, along with door prizes, including airport parking vouchers.
Is this a way to market a new airport to voters?
“That’s not really the purpose,” Vicari said. “We’ll certainly be answering informal questions, and we may have a small booth, but this is a stand-alone aviation event.”
abutler@durangoherald.com
If you go
The Aviation Celebration will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Durango-La Plata County Airport. Admission, parking and food will be free, and United Way of Southwest Colorado will host a beer tent.
