Are You Ready for Some Fantastic High-Flying Fun? Mark the Dayton Air Show on Your Calendar
Did you know that 2025 is the 50th anniversary of the Dayton Air Show? The first air show in Dayton was held in 1975 and was called the Dayton Air Fair. In 1975, one of the featured acts was Patty Wagner standing on the wing of an airplane her husband, Bob, was flying. Guests of the air fair also got to see various commercial and military aircraft, and 50 years later, patrons of the air show will get to see wingwalkers and military and commercial aircraft, along with various flight and skydiving events.
The official name of this year’s air show is the CenterPoint Energy Dayton Air Show, and it’s being presented by Kroger. Other sponsors include Marriott, Boost Mobile, GE Aerospace, and Dayton, OH, along with the Dayton International Airport. This year’s air show promises an exciting, high-flying good time for the whole family.
The CenterPoint Energy Dayton Air Show Schedule
The air show will be held on Saturday and Sunday, June 21 and 22. Guests can expect the gates to open at 9 AM and close at 6 PM. The airplanes will start at 11:15 AM. Individuals, couples, families, and groups must all purchase tickets, which can be done online or in person.
Aviation enthusiasts who are looking for a more affordable way to meet some amazing pilots and the USAF Thunderbirds can take part in the Vandalia Flight Fest, which will be held on June 20 from 6 PM until 10 PM. The Vandalia Flight Test is completely free and located at the Vandalia Recreation Center. This event includes a meet and greet with the Thunderbirds, as well as other flight show performers, an airplane flyover by one of the featured performers, and live music.
Exciting Precision Pilots and Aerial Performers at the Dayton Air Show in 2025
Guests who can only come on Saturday or Sunday don’t have to worry about missing a performance. All of the performers will perform on both days of the air show. Featured performers include the Red Bull Air Force, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the U.S. Army Golden Knights, the B-29 Superfortress-Doc, the USAF C-17 Globemaster III East Coast Demo, Firewalkers International Pyro, and Third Strike Wingwalking, as well as others.
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
You may have heard of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and their amazing flying skills, but did you know that they’re also known as the Ambassadors in Blue? They’ve been performing air shows and flyovers since 1953. The precision pilots fly General Dynamic F-16 Fighting Falcons, and if those aircraft were ever needed for a military mission, they can be made combat-ready in three days.
U.S. Army Golden Knights
The U.S. Army Golden Knights are a free-falling parachuting team, and they were founded in 1959. These expert parachutists are the official demonstration team for the U.S. Army. Members of this elite team were hand-selected from the paratroopers for their advanced skills in parachuting. These amazing parachutists excel at skydiving formations, canopy work, and precision landings.
Red Bull Air Force
The Red Bull Air Force is part of Red Bull, the energy drink. They are a skydiving team that consists of a helicopter, an acrobatic aircraft, and a skydiving/wingsuit team. They are known for pushing the boundaries of flight and airplane acrobatics. The Red Bull team plans to bring their helicopter, piloted by Aaron Fitzgerald, their aerobatic pilot, Kevin Coleman, and their skydiving team.
B-29 Superfortress-Doc
Did you know that there were 3,970 B-29 bombers built between 1943 and 1946? These airplanes were the most advanced bombers of their time. They had the ability to carry up to 20,000 pounds of bombs, and the history of these huge bombers is incredible. For instance, did you know that the B-29 Bockscar and the Enola Gay each dropped a nuclear bomb on Japan, but while the Enola Gay can be found at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia and the Bockscar can be found on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, OH, the B-29 Superfortress-Doc can be viewed at the Dayton Air Show. In fact, it’s one of two B-29s that are still flying. The other B-29 is owned by the Commemorative Air Force and is based in Dallas, TX.
The B-29 Superfortress-Doc is owned by Doc’s Friends and is based in Wichita, KS, where it was built. This B-29 was used for radar calibration, target-towing, and target practice. Doc’s friends acquired the bomber in 1998 and restored it. Today, it travels the air show circuit and is used to teach the history of the B-29 bomber.
USAF C-17 Globemaster III East Coast Demo
USAF C-17 Globemaster III East Coast Demo was designed and built to be a cargo aircraft. The US operates 223 C-17s, and they can carry as much as 164,900 pounds of cargo. It’s 200 feet long and weighs an astounding 585,000 pounds. The USAF C-17 Globemaster III East Coast Demo is on the air show circuit to show off the aircraft’s capabilities and talk about its importance.
Third Strike Wingwalking
Wingwalking involves walking across an airplane’s wings. Third Strike Wingwalking is known for its daredevil wingwalks. Carol Pilon has been wingwalking since 2000, and she helps train other wingwalkers and pilots who wish to fly wingwalkers.
Firewalkers International Pyro
Did you know that pyrotechnics is an integral part of air shows? Firewalkers International Pyro entered the air show scene in 2013. They are known for their spectacular displays, decades of experience, and dedication to safety. In order to make the shows more exciting and inspirational, they create explosions and loud booms from gasoline, high explosives, and fireworks.
Air Show Rides
If you’re looking to build memories in the sky, there are several different aircraft rides available. You can enjoy a B-29 bomber ride from June 19 until June 22, and/or a helicopter ride inside an AH-1F Cobra Attack helicopter.
Air Show Ground Displays
If you’re ready to see some aircraft up close, there will be several ground displays. Guests can enjoy viewing an F-35A Lightning II fighter jet, an F-16 Fighting Falcon, a KC-135 Stratotanker, an EA-37B Compass Call, an A400M Atlas from the German Air Force, a T-38A Talon, a T-6 Texan and Texan II, a T-1 Jayhawk, a DC-8, a P-51 and a Valentine Flyer from Wright B. Flyer Inc., as well as many other types of aircraft. There will also be a Rise Above Exhibit and an F/A 18 Hornet “TOPGUN” Experience.
If you’re looking for an event that’s perfect for the whole family and full of high-flying excitement, you’ll love the 2025 CenterPoint Energy Dayton Air Show. There are plenty of things to do for the whole family. If you’re looking for airport property around the Dayton area, you might check out Moraine Air Park (I73), Schaney’s Lair (OH46), and Troy Skypark (OH71).
