Paynesville Air Show Expected to be Biggest in History

(KNSI) – The annual Paynesville Air Show takes flight on Saturday, August 26th.

Admission is free, and it is the perfect opportunity for young kids to learn more about what puts a plane into the sky, says Tom Fread. “North Memorial and Lifelink medical helicopters are coming in. The military warbirds are coming in. You can get up close, and a lot of times, the pilots will be right there. And they’ll even let you take a look inside and sometimes even sit inside,” he says.

Fread is the president of the Friends of the Paynesville Airport group, which organizes the event. Fread says to arrive well in advance of the 1:00 p.m. start time. He expects this year’s show to be the biggest in history.

The group is doing its part, adding more performers than ever before. The show will need to be split into a couple of acts. “Our air bosses can handle five performers at once. Since we have so many, we can run two air bosses with two different shows.”

Attendance last year was estimated at between 2,500 and 3,000 people. Parking is available in a lot near the airfield, with shuttle service provided. Buses will also run from Paynesville High School.

The event comes with a $30,000 price tag. Fread says they were in Vegas last September, lining up pilots. The show is supported thanks to community sponsors and fundraising efforts, like the fall color rides offered in October.

There is no rain date. If bad weather cancels the show, the organizers get busy planning the 2024 show.

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