CenterPoint Energy Dayton Air Show — Local services in Dayton

✈️ Vectren Dayton Air Show✈️. 2019 Year:

CAN’T MISS AERIAL SHOWS U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will headline this year’s air show, with their six General Dynamic F-16 Fighting Falcons. In addition to dazzling spectators with their ability, the Thunderbirds will reflect the precision and professionalism of American Airmen. 2019 will be the 66th year the Thunderbirds have been performing. They were named after the strong Native American culture in the southwest. Native American folklore tells of a giant birdlike creature that creates thunder by clapping its wings.

Aircraft to make Air Show debut The C-17 Globemaster III and the K-135 Stratotanker will perform a demonstration for the first time at this year’s show. These two aircraft will perform both separately and together. The demo aircraft and crews are from the 97th Air Mobility Wing, Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Reaching speeds of over 520 mph, these two aircraft will excite all fans in attendance.

Jacquie B Jacquie B was the first female pilot to enter the airshow industry at the age of 50. Now, she will be flying her Extra 300S Aircraft for Dayton. The statement “Ladies, it’s time to fly” is displayed proudly on her aircraft.

MUST-SEE PLANES ON THE GROUND Though planes will be soaring overhead don’t forget much of the show is on the ground. Visitors will be able to view more than 50 aircraft on display ranging from WWII warbirds to modern military aircraft. Among the ground displays will be the U.S. Army UH-60 Blackhawk, the C-17 Globemaster III, a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon, the B-25 “Super Rabbit” and a Tuskegee Airman P-51D Mustang “Miss America”. This year, we can fly back in time with the men and aircrafts that were there. The Sky Soliders, a Vietnam re-enactment group will give rides in the UH-1H “Huey” helicopters. For just $75, you can hitch a ride in the back of these flying machines and soar the skies with a veteran pilot for up to 10 minutes. Veteran and active duty military discounts are available for the ride.The UH-1 “Huey” first entered Army service in 1958, and was designed as a troop transport to carry 10 soldiers and a crew of three. They can still be found in Army and National Guard service today.

THINGS TO DO JUST FOR KIDS Need something for the kids? The Vectren Kid’s Hangar has a backyard gym for climbing, a sandbox, face painting and crafts. The getaway is free and occasionally Air Show performers drop by to sign autographs. The hangar will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day with food, beverage and restroom facilities nearby. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

WHAT TO EAT: CONCESSIONS A variety of food concessions will be available as well as plenty of Coke and Budweiser products.ATM’s are located on the show grounds.

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU Being on the hot tarmac all day means spectators need to come prepared. Bring sunglasses, hats and sunscreen, and remember to protect children’s skin as well. Consider wearing light-weight, light-colored long-sleeve tops and comfortable shoes. It’s smart to bring an unopened bottled water, which is allowed.

WHAT TO LEAVE AT HOME Coolers are not permitted on the grounds. Other restricted items are: Cans or glass Alcohol Pets Weapons Firearms Tents or awnings Cooking equipment Bikes, roller blades and scooters

WHERE TO PARK AND HOW TO GET THERE Due to heavy rain, an alternative parking plan is in place for the show. All parking will now be on paved lots, and the Emery/UPS Freight Facility on Old Springfield Road north of the airport is the Alternate Parking site. All spectator parking, including general admission, P-Lot and VIP will be directed to this site. Thanks For The...

Without question the worst event experience I've ever had. Seriously, there is a reason there are 30 overwhelmingly negative reviews in a row in the past 24 hours.

We drove from Columbus and got within a few miles of the air show by 10:15 which is where traffic completely stopped.

Having experienced horrible traffic at the show last year we arrived earlier, thinking almost 2 hours early would be sufficient. Far from it! We traveled less than 1 mph (literally) for three hours to finally be parked around 1:30.

I75 and city streets were all at a standstill. There was no one directing traffic, no one manually controlling the lights. We watched the Golden Knights and first demos from the car.

The road leading to general admission parking was actually a 4 lane road with 1 lane for general admission parking, 1 lane for VIP/handicap and two lanes for oncoming traffic. News flash - basically nobody was coming the other direction at that time.

Here's an idea: hire police or security, turn one of the out/exit lanes into the VIP lane, and have TWO lanes funneling into the general admission parking lot. Problem with this idea is that there is only one entry point into the general admission lot. You have one year: throw down some gravel and create a second entry point to the lot.

Seems there were high school students trying to direct cars to specific spots. Also we paid for parking in advance and not one person verified payment. That's annoying.

Next, getting into the event. It was after 1:30 when we finally approached the gates. We stood behind a huge mass of people waiting to get in and it was 90 minutes after the event began! You could hear a collective "was it this bad last year?"

There were roughly 10 porta-potties right inside the gate. I'm sure there were others further into the event, but certainly not enough and the line was always long.

My husband got beers from a stand near where we sat - this was the only hassle-free experience. Downside was the beer guy didn't sell water which we would've bought. Perhaps not a bad idea to offer water to someone drinking during the heat of the day.

Trash - we saw two trash cans which is no exaggeration. Obviously I assume there were more trash cans, but both of the ones we saw were solo. Is there an issue with having a row of trash cans? It was disgusting. Other reviews have pictures.

We actually left about 20 minutes into the Blue Angels performance because we knew leaving would be a DISASTER. We certainly weren't the only ones with this idea. I'd guess a few thousand people left during the performance for the same reasons we did. It was a constant flow out of the exit.

As soon as we headed home I started looking up all the lowest reviews of this show from years past and, color me surprised, these same issues have occurred every year! It appears to have been much worse this year.

I cannot stress this enough: unless you plan this to be a 12 hour day, don't go. This is not something to pop into or decide last minute - not even two hours early is sufficient! The city of Vandalia should not be given the privilege of hosting this again.

I'll be very curious to see if the event organizers issue an apology or pretend the event was smooth.

Listen to...

I've been 3 years in a row and have sat in different areas each year.

🔷️General Admission: Bring your own chairs. Otherwise you will be sitting on the ground (which is fine if that is what you want to do).

You will use porta-potties.

You will be in the heat, but there is a tank bus running, that is parked as a "heat escape" and cool down area for all attendees.

If you want food/drinks, prepare to spend a lot of money. Bottled drinks 20oz (waters, coke) are $5.

Closest to all concessions, and aircraft on the tarmac.

Tickets are cheap.

🔷️Pavilion: In short Pavilion seating is similar to General Admission, but you get a table and umbrella.

You will use porta-potties but they are "private" meaning there's some in the Pavilion area just for those with Pavilion seating.

No A/C, but there is an umbrella at the table for shade.

Table seats 6, and if you don't buy all 6, you will be with strangers.

You will have to get food from concessions, similar to General Admission.

Umbrellas can block the view of some performers.

Close to concessions and planes displayed in tarmac.

🔷️Blue Sky Chalet: Air conditioned tent to escape the heat.

Drinks all day, complimentary.

Food served around 12p. This was hot dogs, burgers, chicken, potato salad, pasta salad, cookies and chips.

2 Air conditioned restrooms in the Chalet for guests to use. Had a mirror, and toilet.

A bit of a walk if you want to go to concessions or see the aircraft parked on the tarmac.

Didn't seem well monitored at all. People were not sitting at the correct table which caused some displacement when others left to see planes, walk around and they returned to their table being taken over. There was also a situation where a man and 2 kids basically snuck into our Chalet. I reported this because he nor his kids had the bracelet on, and they were displacing an entire family at table D04. Nothing was ever said to the man or his kids. So why pay $162 a ticket if anyone can waltz in?

Umbrellas can obstruct the view...