Residents can get up close and personal with dozens of aircraft Saturday at the second annual Aviation Celebration at the
Last year’s event featured about 40 aircraft on display, including Experimental Aircraft Association planes, an F-16 fighter jet and a C-130 transport plane. Many of the craft were open for people to climb inside. Nearly 1,800 people attended.
This year’s event will be even bigger and include the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute jump team, which will perform skydiving routines around 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The event is free to the public, including parking, and runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Aviation and fast-car enthusiasts who want an even closer experience can pay $99-$150 to fly in a 1943 U.S. Navy Beechcraft SNB-5 or pay $150-$300 to drive a Ferrari or Lamborghini at high speed on the airport’s runway.
The show also will feature a 1945 TBM Avenger on display and open for tours.
The celebration will include food vendors, beer tent, activities for children, fire-and-rescue equipment on display, airport snow-removal equipment, tours and door prizes.
Airport interim director Tony Vicari said the event is meant to showcase different facets of aviation that use the airport, including private use, medical use, military training and aerial firefighting. It has nothing to do with a November ballot issue asking residents to approve a property tax increase to fund a new terminal, he said. In fact, events will be held away from the terminal, he said.
“It’s just an opportunity for people to learn what exactly happens at the airport away from the commercial side,” he said. “It’s just talking about the airport and its role in our community and what it can do and what aviation has to offer.”
shane@durangoherald.com
