Wings over Waukesha Air Show to Celebrate Centennial of Flight in Waukesha County with Expanded Air Show and Activities for the Whole Family
WAUKESHA, WI, USA (May 24, 2012) – Mark your calendar for the return of the Wings over Waukesha Air Show on August 25 and 26, 2012, at the Waukesha County Airport. This year’s air show will again feature top national aerobatics acts, a parachute performance team, and a wide array of vintage and contemporary military and civilian aircraft to represent the centennial of aviation in Waukesha County. Dozens of aircraft will be on display, with many of them providing tours or rides, including the Experimental Aircraft Association’s B-17 “Aluminum Overcast” bomber from World War II.
“We’re very excited about this year’s air show, which promises to provide all of the amazing excitement of the aerobatics and military aircraft performances of last year, as well as much more activity on the ground to keep everyone entertained throughout the day,” said Kurt Stanich, Chairman of Wings over Waukesha. “Our sponsors and exhibitors from 2011 are jumping at the opportunity to be a part of Wings over Waukesha again this year, and many of them have expanded their involvement, so we’re off to a great start.”
The air show is celebrating the 100th anniversary of flight in Waukesha County this year to mark the anniversary of John G. Kaminski’s first flight in Waukesha County on May 12, 1912, just nine years after the Wright Brothers famous first flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903. The 18-year-old Kaminski was Wisconsin’s first and youngest licensed pilot and his place in Waukesha County history was marked by his flight in a Curtis Pusher airplane from Wauwatosa to a farm field near Stone Bank, Wisconsin.
Over the years, aviation in Waukesha County has played an important role in local business, military support, emergency services and recreation. From crop dusting and skywriting in the early years to corporate aviation for some of Wisconsin’s largest companies today, aviation has fueled a variety of commercial successes. Equally important is the role that aviation played in World War II, as a unit of the Civil Air Patrol was formed at Waukesha County Airport to assist in the U.S. war effort by providing various search, rescue and surveillance missions. Of course, from 1912 through 2012, recreational flying has also enjoyed a big following in Waukesha County, and the Wings over Waukesha Air Show follows in the footsteps of the county’s first air shows in the 1930s and 1940s.
Sponsorship opportunities have been expanded this year to provide arange of options for businesses that want to reach out to the anticipated crowd of 20,000 – 25,000 people this year, including thousands of families, active military personnel and veterans, aviation enthusiasts and entertainment-seekers. The Apollo Program offers $10,000 sponsors a host of promotional exposure, exhibitor space, 16 VIP admission passes to the air show and to the exclusive VIP/Sponsor Take-Off Party on Friday, August 24, as well as rides for two people in an Air Show airplane. The Jet Club, Warbird Club, Spirit of St. Louis Club, Barnstormer Club and Wright Brothers Club sponsorship packages offer a variety of other options and benefits that are detailed in the downloadable sponsor package.
Tickets to the event are $10.00 per person for adults, $5 for children ages 10 – 17, free of charge for children ages 9 and under. Advance tickets are now available at the discounted price of $7.00 per adult – a $3 discount – through the Wings over Waukesha website at www.wingsoverwaukesha.com.
Ample parking will be provided for $5 per car on the airport grounds and Waukesha Expo Center properties, and trams will run throughout the day to shuttle guests to the air show entrance, which is especially helpful to those who have difficulty walking longer distances or families with small children.
Guests can purchase an airplane ride, and a variety of food, beverages and merchandise at the event. There will also be interesting speakers, as well as an array of exhibits to explore.
Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor, exhibitor, volunteer or flying their aircraft to Waukesha to participate in the event is encouraged to go to the event website at www.wingsoverwaukesha.com.
About Wings over Waukesha
Wings over Waukesha is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting aviation and honoring aviation history. The organization hosts the popular annual Wings over Waukesha aviation exposition and air show at Waukesha County Airport that features a variety of contemporary and vintage aircraft from both civilian and military aviation. The family-friendly event provides an opportunity to learn about flying, aircraft and the important role of military aviation, while meeting local pilots and getting a close-up view of their aircraft, many of which have been painstakingly restored to their original condition from the mid-1900s. Proceeds are reinvested in the annual event, which also benefits numerous local non-profit organizations that participate and sell food and merchandise to raise funds for aviation education scholarships, vintage aircraft restoration and other military and aviation related efforts.
