Air Show Practical for the Whole Family

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Jack Bauder poses with B-52 Bomber pilot, Mongo.

Eighty thousand spectators passed through the gates of the Vectren Dayton Air Show located at Dayton, Ohio’s International Airport this past weekend. Newspapers and television stations were saturated with stories and photographs of everything from ground exhibits to up-close-and-personal celebrity interviews to first-hand accounts of what it was like to ride in the Marine Corps’ C-130 Hercules transport plane “Fat Albert.” I was among the myriad of Press on the hot tarmac viewing the Air Show not only for its thrills but for its practicality.

The Vectren Air Show is one answer to a mini family vacation. There were deals a-plenty but my number one value recommendation is the Family Four Pack for $65 that included admission for four persons, parking, a souvenir program and a light fare. In addition to being an all-day event, it was also an open-campus event, allowing patrons to exit and reenter by showing their ticket stubs and a wrist bracelet for that purpose. So if Junior had a morning baseball game or Dad had to pop into work for an hour or so, the Family Four Pack was still a deal that could accommodate a family schedule.

Kudos to the logistics of the Dayton event; Port-o-Johns were clean and plentiful in addition to a large Diaper Changing Station secluded from the crowds and the heat. Spring-boarding off that convenience was the Vectren Kids’ Hangar; a covered play area that was totally FREE. Parents and grandparents took a breather while the kiddos enjoyed sand box play, face painting, crafts and a jungle gym. Electric scooters could be rented to ease mobility of those not able to get around well on their own. Handicapped parking and shuttle service was also available.

No one could say that there wasn’t anyone around to help when they were needed. Air Show staff was plentiful and easy to spot in their uniformed shirts and lanyards. Maps at the various stations made it easy to figure out where I was and the direction I needed to go.

My vote for sweet refreshment goes to the giant snow cones. It was advertised as ‘shaved ice’ and was literally bigger than an adult hand. And no skimping on the syrup either; there was a syrup station where the consumer served himself. In the July heat, it was worth the four bucks and the multi-colored tongue!

The Autograph Tent boasted celebrities who mingled with the crowd and signed autographs in intermittent time slots. The crown literally goes to Becky Minger, the reigning Miss Ohio 2010, for staying pleasant and beautiful in the heat. After a stint at signing autographs for the public she gave interviews and posed for photos the rest of the afternoon. I sat in on an interview that my colleague conducted. He couldn’t remember my name when it came time to introduce me to Miss Ohio but she remembered my name when we said our goodbyes. Smart cookie.

The volunteers who manned the exhibits were half of the enjoyment. They appeared eager to speak with the public, trading stats and stories with patrons. Two young airmen next to the B-52 Bomber gave show goers an opportunity to try on a helmet and face mask to simulate the feeling in the cockpit. And, of course, they gladly posed for prime photo opportunities.

I could not have foreseen the thrill of feeling a fighter jet buzz the crowd until I was actually there. I felt the ground rumble under my feet before I actually caught sight of the F-18 Hornet that whizzed past me. It was nearly out of my line of sight when the sound boom hit my ears. And then loud speakers all over the Air Show grounds broadcasted the voice of the announcer who shrieked out the pilot’s airspeed of 1180 mph.

The C-5 Galaxy – a grey behemoth – was on display in all her glory. The public was encouraged walk up the back ramp into the main cargo area and out the front doors to get an awesome 360 degree view of the mammoth plane.

Kyle and Amanda Franklin are a husband-and-wife team who perform aerobatics and wing walking stunts at the show. There isn’t room for petty arguments with this couple; they literally depend on each other for their lives. I daresay there’s nothing quite like standing upside down on the wing of a plane to keep a little spice in your marriage.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when planning a family day at the Vectren Dayton Air Show: You may bring your own food but not in a cooler. (Coolers and loose ice are too hard to search and are therefore prohibited.) Wrap food items in clear plastic and use ice packs to keep your food cold. You may carry in your own unopened water bottles AND complimentary water bottle refill stations will allow you to stay hydrated in the heat. You may bring chairs, blankets and hand-held umbrellas to make your day at the Air Show more comfortable. You may also rent umbrellas on the premises. Delicious varieties of food items are available for purchase inside the gates; cash only please.

Mark your calendars for next year’s annual event. The Vectren Dayton Air Show has done their homework to put together a family friendly event that every age will enjoy. It is a thrill-a-minute, all-day event jammed with sights and sounds of a world defying gravity.