EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

Went to Oshkosh for the second time in the last ten years. Night airshow was awesome!
Also flew in a Ford Trimotor. Definitely worth the money to do this, as it is one of the original airliners in the world.
Only downside was access in and out. Many of the roads were converted to one-​way, and it was difficult for someone to get in to pick people up.

I got free tickets when another event here fell through. Despite growing up in Wisconsin, neither the husband nor I had been, so we treked up for the Saturday and actually had a great time.
I’d expected to find it somewhat interesting but mostly assumed it was more for my husband and I’d just be tagging along and enjoying the weather, but I was wrong.
There were tons of historic and military planes and folks to talk to you about them. There were planes that could only be seen in Oshkosh.
And the air show was indescribably cool. From a re-​enactment of D-​Day with period appropriate planes to stunt flyers to a Harrier and F-​22, it was interesting and impressive. We spent much of the day along the runway watching and learning and soaking up the sun.
It’s a well-​run, well-​oiled machine, with shuttles, tons of water available and completely reasonable food prices.
I had planned on a somewhat pleasant day of humoring my husband, but ended up really having a great day.

Not what it used to be. After attending several EAA Airventure events, this one may have been my last. Poor communication on when exhibits are open, lack of information on parking, and a show that seems to be getting a bit lackluster, with the crowds to go with it.

Love love love!!! Everything about this place is amazing if you kike airplanes, aeronautics, cars, cool stuff, and amazing people! can’t think of a better way to spend a summer week!
Thanks EAA and all those tbat make this the greatest airshow on earth!

I stopped by on that Saturday night after being up in Door Co the entire day, boy am I glad I stopped on by and parked with a few hundred others at the outlet shops to see the planes and the amazing air show.
I suggest every resident of Wisconsin make the trip up to Oshkosh during that week and watch the show, you won’t regret it.
That first day the 28^th Kenny Loggins was playing, would have been cool to hear him and see the air show.

Been coming here for, um, 30 years? Wow. The town is like a second home for me, and the airshow (called Oshkosh, though the official «Airventure» is slowly catching on) is one of the best in the world.
All kinds of aircraft on display, on the ground and in the air. Seminars, shopping, demonstrations, kid stuff, whatever– even if you don’t like planes you’ll find something fun to do. For a plane nut like myself, it is heaven. And Mecca, a place to journey to, finding kindred spirits and a kind of solace.

Had a blast at the airshow. The fireworks display at the end of the day was amazing.

Oscar Wilde once said, «Women have a wonderful instinct about things. They can discover everything except the obvious. «Well, I had my suspicions all along but it wasn’t until we approached the town of Oshkosh that I finally confronted him, «Was this AirVenture thing the reason you moved us from the south to the north, just so you could cut your annual pilgrimage by 500 miles? «He neither confirmed nor denied my accusation, but an evil grin gave it away.
EAA AirVenture, celebrating its 60^th anniversary, is America’s largest annual gathering of aviation enthusiasts held each summer at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. For one week each year, this modest airport becomes the busiest airport in the world with more than 500,000 people and 10,000 airplanes attending. Rumor has it that five percent of America’s general aviation (as opposed to commercial aviation) fleet flock here for the week-​long gathering, while one third of the locals flee town. It’s amazing how a small town can pull off an event like this.
I am not an aviation enthusiast and to me the best part of flying is landing, so it’s a bit difficult for me to justify paying $ 28 a day (weekly pass around $ 120, plus parking) wandering around people and cool little airplanes all day in the sun. Instead I decided to explore the town myself after dropping him off at the airfield, spending the day working on my laptop in a couple charming cafes and reading by quaint Lake Winnebago. At the end of the day, I picked him back up, after missing signs, taking detours and all the wrong turns of course. We spent the night in one of the beautiful houses deserted by their owners for the week with a couple other attendees.
Tales abound about meeting fellow aviators from around the country, seeing rare airplanes and learning cool stuff. I could feel the love for the air in the air. I have a feeling this won’t be my last time and I may even pay my way into the airfield next time.
So there you have it, my five star review as a future attendee. See you next year Oshkosh.