DULUTH 鈥� The United States Air Force Thunderbirds will again soar over the city during the 13th Duluth Air and Aviation Expo on Saturday, July 16, and Sunday, July 17.
鈥淲e have been working with the F-35 Demo Team since January of this year and were told that the F-35 team was slated to headline an air show in the United Kingdom the weekend of our event," Airshow President Ryan Kern said in a news release Thursday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Minnesota debuts from the sky will include the tandem-style YAK 110 aircraft, aerobat Jessy Panzer, the MIG-17 and A1 Skyraider.
Local aviation industries will also be highlighted, such as the U.S. Air Force F-16 from the Minnesota Air National Guard 148th Fighter Wing and the Cirrus SF-50 jet.
鈥淪o many local people are attached to someone in the industry,鈥� said Lindsay Kern, outreach director of the Duluth Airshow.
Gates open at 9 a.m. to allow audience members to find parking and seating before flying starts at 11 a.m. Attendees are also encouraged to check out static displays and meet pilots before the show, which ends at 4:30 p.m.
Organizers anticipate a 鈥渘ormal鈥�-sized crowd in comparison to last year, where over 30,000 audience members attended 鈥� the airshow's largest turnout on record.
While Saturday tends to be the busier of the two days, Lindsay Kern encourages Duluth residents to attend on Sunday in order to alleviate increased traffic.
Approximately 500 volunteers will help put on the show this year. Ryan Kern said that's a comfortable number, but they can always use more help.
ADVERTISEMENT
He also said performances will continue through rain if visibility is clear. Because attractions are both on ground and in the air, organizers are able to adjust the show鈥檚 schedule in case of poor weather.
Lindsay Kern still suggests that attendees come fully prepared for rain or shine. 鈥淪unscreen, rain jackets and comfortable shoes are essential,鈥� she said.
Parking tends to be one of the main issues organizers face because parking spots tend to be far away from the viewing area. They want attendees to know there are options, including a shuttle that transports attendees to and from their parking spots.
The area is also on pavement, so organizers are hoping those transporting on wheels will have an easier time getting around compared to shows that take place on grass.
Lindsay Kern also suggests people wear ear protection, whether that be ear plugs or headphones 鈥� especially for young children. 鈥淚t is much louder than you will anticipate,鈥� she said. The sponsor for the show, Essentia Health, will be providing free ear plugs for when jets boom overhead.
Tickets went on sale in November and will be sold through the weekend. Tickets and parking passes are available at and the day of the event. General admission tickets and kids鈥� passes are also available at all Menards locations in Minnesota.
The Trust Project
