This weekend will be filled with plenty to do. This year marks the 75th anniversary for the Great Bend Army Airfield and to mark the occasion the Great Bend Airfest will be at the airport with planes, pilots, music and fun for people of all ages.
“We are excited about this year’s Airfest. We will have both B-29s, Doc and Fifi, here at the airport. We are also excited that we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the airport,” Airport Manager Martin Miller said. “This event is very important to Great Bend, not only economically, but (for the) education and the historical awareness that it brings to town.”
Friday is looking to be a popular day for children as it is estimated that 1,000 area students will visit the Airfest. Saturday will also be a busy day as it will host the Veterans Recognition ceremony and the hangar dance along with all the other activities.
“Friday and Saturday are the most busiest days. Friday we will have a lot of students coming out and having fun, and on Saturday the Veterans Recognition ceremony and the hangar dance are always popular events,” Miller said.
List of events
Friday, opening day
Gates open: 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Welcome area schools and faculty
Concessions noon to 7:30 p.m.
T-shirt sales, simulators, photos and vendors
Warbird and helicopter rides
Warbird tours and aircrew visits
Historical displays
Ladies for Liberty appearances
Airshow 5:15-7:15 p.m.
Featuring: Falcon Flight RVs, Steve Afeman T-6, B-29s Doc & Fifi, P-51 Gunfighter, P-40 Warhawk, Extra 330 Adam Baker Playful, T-33 Acemaker
Saturday
Gates open: 8 a.m. to midnight
Chris Cakes pancakes 8–11 a.m.
Concessions 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Warbird and helicopter rides
Warbird tours and aircrew visits
Historical displays
T-shirt sales/simulators/photos/vendors
Ladies for Liberty appearances
Ike Eisenhower appearances
Airshow 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Performers: Falcon Flight RVs, Steve Afeman T-6, B-29s Doc & Fifi, P-51 Gunfighter, P-40 Warhawk, Extra 330 Adam Baker Playful, T-33 Acemaker
Airshow 3:30–5:30 p.m.
Performers: Falcon Flight RVs, Steve Afeman T-6, B-29s Doc & Fifi, P-51 Gunfighter, P-40 Warhawk, Extra 330 Adam Baker Playful, T-33 Acemaker
Veterans Recognition ceremony 6–7 p.m.
Hangar dance 1940s – 7:30–11 p.m.
Ladies for Liberty and J. Bennett Band
Sunday, Sept. 30
Gates Open: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Concessions 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
T-shirt sales/simulators/photos/vendors
Warbird and helicopter rides
Warbird Tours and aircrew visits
Historical displays
Ladies for Liberty appearances
Ike Eisenhower appearances
Airshow noon to 2:30 p.m.
Performers: Falcon Flight RVs, Steve Afeman T-6, B-29s Doc & Fifi, P-51 Gunfighter, P-40 Warhawk, Extra 330 Adam Baker Playful, T-33 Acemake
