Dayton, Ohio – This weekend, the Vectren Dayton Air Show Presented by Kroger takes off July 7 & 8 at the Dayton International Airport. While the focus of the Show will be the US Navy Blue Angels and other world-class aerobatic performances, an event of this magnitude simply couldn’t exist without the strong support of sponsors.
Most visible are the Show’s title and presenting sponsors – Vectren and Kroger respectively. Along with these critical mainstays, the Vectren Dayton Air Show has also enjoyed longtime support from companies such as Goodrich, GE Aviation Systems, Sinclair Community College, Pepsi, Heidelberg, Wright Bros. Aero, Hartzell, Queen City Ice, LaRosa’s and Shumsky.
Joining the Show as first time sponsors for the 2012 event are Rumpke, Humana and General Dynamics. Each of these sponsors provides critical funding for the non-profit Show’s nearly 1.5 million dollar budget. Along with these monetary sponsors, the Air Show also receives significant in-kind support from sponsors such as the City of Dayton, the Dayton International Airport, the City of Vandalia and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. These sponsors along with other in-kind sponsors such as RTA, New Page, Joseph Airport Toyota, Dayton Marriott, Soin International and Yellow Pages help the event’s bottom line by providing critical services or products for the Show at no cost.
The gates open to the event each day at 9:00 a.m. with the Feature Flying Show beginning at 11:00 a.m. Gates close each day at 6:00 p.m. Before the flying begins there will be plenty to see and do on the Vectren Dayton Air Show grounds. Aircraft of all shapes and sizes are available for viewing and each will have crew members available to answer spectator questions.
Interactive exhibits promoting the National Aviation Heritage Area, NASA and the US Army are open to all spectators along with a terrific area for young children at the Vectren Kids’ Hangar. This year patrons will also enjoy the USTA SmashZone, whose goal is to develop interest in tennis among younger children. The display will come with courts for play, USTA pros and interactive games for participants. Chrysler will showcase the full-line of Chrysler brand vehicles through test drives and engaging displays, including a Chrysler branded trailer and vehicle displays. Chrysler will have 6 vehicles on-site in the ride and drive program where you can take a test drive with a product specialist.
For Air Show fans that are reluctant to drive to the event’s ample parking lots, RTA provides two options. Continuous Express Shuttle service is provided from the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. The service is $3 and provides round-trip transportation directly to the Show’s main gate. Hourly shuttle service is also available from Wright Stop Plaza in downtown Dayton to the main gate. The regular RTA fare structure applies from downtown. Express Shuttle service will run between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Go to www.i-riderta.org for more information.
Other Air Show performers include the USAF Heritage Flight, a historic formation flight with an F-4 Phantom and a P51 Mustang; the Sea Harrier, a vertical takeoff and landing jet aircraft; TORA TORA TORA, an emotional reenactment of the bombing of Pearl Harbor complete with pyrotechnics; Michael Goulian, an acclaimed, high-energy aerobatic performer; P51 Quick Silver, a beautifully restored WWII fighter; Gene Soucy Air Shows, barnstorming and wing walking at its best; the Misty Blues, the world’s only all-woman skydiving team; and the A-4B Skyhawk, a Vietnam-era jet fighter.
Get discount general admission tickets now for the Saturday or Sunday show at over 100 Kroger stores in the Dayton-Cincinnati region. Specialty seating options including the LaRosa’s Pavilion are available through the show’s web site, www.daytonairshow.com.
