The sounds of jets could be heard across the city Thursday, marking the beginning of air show weekend in Owensboro.
Events for the 2019 Owensboro Air Show begin Friday at 4 p.m. at the Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport with a static display, allowing people to get up close and personal with a wide range of aircraft and meet some of the pilots. At dusk, a few performers will take to the sky to entertain the crowds with an evening spectacle of nighttime air show performances. Cost for the Friday event is $5 per person and children 10 and under are free.
The main event will take place along the downtown riverfront as the line up of aircraft, ranging from vintage warbirds and aerobatic demonstrations to military jets, including the Air Force F-16 Viper Demo, will put on a show both Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.
The Owensboro Bridge will be closed on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the annual Owensboro Air Show Bridge Run 5K/10K and Bridge Day event. In this once a year opportunity, the community is invited to walk, bike or stroll across the Blue Bridge. The morning will kick-off with the annual Bridge Run at 7:15 a.m. and the bridge will open to the general public for Bridge Day following the conclusion of the race at approximately 9:30 a.m.
With an estimated 70,000 in attendance at last year’s show, which featured the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels, Owensboro’s riverfront has become an attraction for the air show weekend.
“In the past, with the Thunderbirds or Blue Angels, there was obviously a spike [in attendance], but traditionally we have over 30,000 that come,” said City of Owensboro Public Events Director Tim Ross.
Ross said that the air show has built a good fan base, and people from Ohio and Tennessee make plans to come to Owensboro annually for the air show events.
“We have built a brand,” Ross said of the quality of our air show and what it offers attendees.
In addition to the Viper Demo Team and B-25 Bomber, the air show will showcase military jets, including a Northrop F-5, F-86 Sabre and a Mig17.
Team Aeroshell, which Ross said is considered the best multi-ship aerobatic team in the industry, will showcase some amazing precision in flying their famed T-6 Texan aircraft.
The Philips 66 Aerostars team, a 4-ship demonstration team, will perform as well as Red Bull air racer Kevin Coleman and aerobatic showman, Billy Werth, in his Pitts biplane.
“I am excited about the lineup each year. This year is no different with truly unique performers and a great mix of warbird, aerobatic and military jet demos,” Ross said. “It will be a great show for the aviation enthusiast as well as casual fans to see a great display of different types of aircraft.”
For a full schedule of events, visit owensboroairshow.com.
