OSHKOSH – Look! Up in the sky!
Not Superman, but a blockbuster hit of a different kind.
The world’s biggest fly-in convention is back in town again, with the aviation world taking over Oshkosh’s skies for yet another week as the start of the 72nd edition of EAA AirVenture July 21-27.
Around 700,000 visitors are expected to touch down in the city over the next seven days after last year’s event attracted record-setting numbers in attendance (686,000), exhibitors (861) and international countries represented (98).
And planes. Lots of them!
Another 10,000 aircraft — from the smallest of one-seater homebuilt planes to two flying examples of the B-29 Superfortress — will be on display across Wittman Regional Airport.
Two Goodyear blimps are set to make their return to Oshkosh for the first time in four years, serving as the highlight of daily airshows and a pair of night shows July 23 and 26.
Those shows also include the best in aerobatics and aerial maneuvers from top air show performers like Randy Ball (MiG-17), Vicky Benzing (P-51), Bob Carlton (Jetfox twin-engine sailplane), The Chuters (skydiving), Class of ’45 (Corsair/P-51) and Greg Colyer (T-33).
In the spirit of Charles Miner, here’s a rundown of what else you can expect at this year’s convention.
Admission to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
Tickets can be purchased for the entire week or daily, while there are optional add-ons such as parking, camping and flight experiences.
Daily tickets are $49 for adult EAA members and $68 for adult non-members. Veterans and active military members pay $49 while kids 18 years and younger are free.
There are special prices for July 27, with adult members, veterans and active members paying $24. Adult non-members pay $29.
A special two-day offer of $110 is also afforded to adult non-members who plan to attend successive days.
Advanced tickets and camping reservations are available for purchase at AirVenture.org.
Patrons can access the daily schedule at https://events.rdmobile.com/Sessions/Index/18900 or https://www.eaa.org/airventure/eaa-airventure-schedule-of-events.
Aircraft rides at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
Patrons will have the chance to see the fly-in convention from the skies above on board one of the many aircraft rides at EAA AirVenture.
You can fly on the world’s first mass-produced airliner, the Ford TriMotor 4-AT-B; a World War II bomber, the B-25 Berlin Express; or on the M*A*S*H helicopter, the Bell 47.
Daily air shows at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
Two Goodyear blimps are set to highlight both the daily and nightly shows for this year’s convention, but they won’t be the only highwire acts in town.
AirVenture will feature a number of eyepopping feats of aerial maneuvers, aerobatics and unique airplanes on each day of the event.
Daily air shows start at 2:15 p.m. July 21-26 and at 1 p.m. July 27.
Both Goodyear airships are scheduled to appear during separate night shows slated for July 23 and 26. They begin at 8 p.m.
Aircraft areas at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
As expected, several different spots are dedicated to specific types of aircraft being displayed at AirVenture.
Boeing Plaza is the marquee display area, this year showcasing the Wisconsin Air National Guard, two flying examples of the B-29 Superfortress and a tribute to public benefit flying, among other major displays.
Tour the grounds to see historic World War II planes in the Warbirds section, visit the areas dedicated to the thousands of homebuilt aircraft flown into Oshkosh or get a look at some of the aerobatic performers before they take to the skies for the daily air shows.
You can also get a shuttle from Wittman Regional Airport to the Seaplane Base in a cove along Lake Winnebago.
Patrons will also have access to the EAA Aviation Museum at no additional charge.
KidVenture
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Pioneer Airport, KidVenture provides children with several opportunities to explore aviation through hands-on activities like building projects, flying radio-control and control-line airplanes, riding flight simulators, and learning aviation and space history.
July 27 has special opening hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Buses run between KidVenture, the museum and the bus park daily.
EAA Aviation Museum
Aviation enthusiasts will be treated to various featured exhibits and presentations daily starting at 8 a.m.
Weekly AirVenture wristbands allow for unlimited museum admission while patrons with a daily wristband can only access the museum for that day of entry.
EAA members are free but will not be allowed admission to the convention grounds without a wristband.
Fly-In Theater at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
Avid moviegoers can enjoy classic Hollywood films, including fan favorites “Top Gun,” “Fly Away Home” and “Thunderbolt,” on a five-story projection screen every night at 8:30 p.m.
Each movie is free of cost and includes free popcorn.
The EAA Museum – Skyscape Theater will also host some film screenings.
Here’s the full movie lineup:
Saturday, July 19
Sunday, July 20
Monday, July 21
Tuesday, July 22
Wednesday, July 23
Thursday, July 24
Friday, July 25
Saturday, July 26
Veterans’ activities at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
A day-long Salute to Veterans July 25 starts with a complimentary breakfast and includes a parade and the Old Glory Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.
That annual parade of veterans begins at 12:30 p.m. at the “Warbirds in Review” ramp, where former servicemembers will assemble for a special patriotic tribute.
The Old Glory Honor Flight, which takes Vietnam veterans to tour war memorials and monuments in Washington, D.C., returns to AirVenture around 6 p.m.
Workshops and forums at EAA AirVenture
At no additional cost, patrons can get a chance to hear from industry leaders, pilots, designers and astronauts about everything from flying and restoring airplanes to actually building your own homebuilt aircraft.
Workshop topics include composite and fabric construction, gas, and TIG welding and sheet metal.
These workshops run daily across the convention grounds and no reservations are required.
Some workshop, forum and other event highlights include the following:
Monday, July 21
Tuesday, July 22
Wednesday, July 23
Thursday, July 24
Friday, July 25
Saturday, July 26
Sunday, July 27
Shopping and food at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
No fewer than 13 shops and gift stores are on site offering a variety of EAA memorabilia, merchandise and any other aviation items for sale, including hardware, tools and aircraft parts.
The food options aren’t limited, either, with grocery stores, national chains and local food trucks readily available and open all over Wittman field.
Runway 5K
This charity fun run/walk is open to people of all ages, starting at 6:30 a.m. July 26 at the Youth Education Center.
A new route this year takes participants through a tour of AirVenture grounds.
Registration includes a T-shirt, post-race food and refreshments, and admission to AirVenture on race day.
Online registration closes July 25 and reopens at the Runway 5K check-in July 26 before the race.
EAA AirVenture app
Search for EAA Events in the App Store or Google Play, or visit the EAA website to download the EAA Events App and set up a personalized itinerary that will help navigate the more than 1,500 workshops, forums, events and exhibitors.
After downloading the app, select EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 so you can setup event notifications, search the daily schedule, spot food venues and even view maps of the entire EAA AirVenture grounds.
For a full list of AirVenture’s features and attractions for the week, visit https://www.eaa.org/airventure/features-and-attractions.
Contact Justin Marville at jmarville@gannett.com and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @justinmarville.
This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: EAA AirVenture Oshkosh: Everything to know about 2025’s edition, from airplanes to apps
Reporting by Justin Marville, Oshkosh Northwestern / Oshkosh Northwestern
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
