CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Due to the overwhelming support Yeager Airport and the West Virginia Air National Guard saw at its 70th Anniversary Air Show last year, airport officials say they plan to host another show this fall.
The Salute to Our Veterans & First Responders Air Show is scheduled for Oct. 13-14 in Charleston.
“This year we’re celebrating our veterans and first responders. There’s such a big population of them in West Virginia, the state appreciates them and we wanted to salute them, so we’re planning an Air Show in their honor,” said Dominique Ranieri, director of marking at Yeager.
Airport officials plan to honor key figures in the state during opening ceremonies.
More than 35,000 people from several different states attended last year’s two-day Air Show. Ranieri said they’re hoping for the same turn out this year.
“We definitely had such a great response last year, so many people and everyone said it’s the best thing we can do to bring people up to the airport and bring the state together,” she said.
The show will include a number of aircraft, aerobatic acts, static displays, parachuting and much more.
“It’s going to be similar, but bigger,” Ranieri said. “We’re hoping to have more aircraft on static display. We’re hoping to work with different military bases and such to send their equipment if available.”
The show will, again, be free and open to the public.
Ranieri said the airport plans to introduce a new electronic ticketing system for people who want to buy reserved seating.
“We’ll have seats available for reservation at a low cost that way you don’t have to carry it (a chair). We’ll also have a couple seating sections like VIP tickets that you can purchase if you did want to have a comfier situation,” she said.
Food and merchandise vendors will be on hand.
The airport is currently looking for sponsors.
Ranieri said they’re looking forward to offering another opportunity for people to come out, get on the airfields, see airplanes up close and interact with aviation officials.
“We want as many people as possible to know that Yeager Airport, to know that the Air Guard is here and to encourage them to realize that we are West Virginia’s gateway and we’re here for them,” she said.