OSHKOSH – Still contemplating going to AirVenture?
The days may be winding down, but the events certainly aren’t, with this weekend providing a host of attractions for would-be patrons looking to attend the last three days of the world’s largest fly-in convention’s 72nd edition, which runs daily through July 27.
From airshows to air rides, maneuvers to movies, Wittman Regional Airport will continue to serve as one huge spectacle after entertaining the aviation world over the last few days.
You don’t even have to love planes to enjoy AirVenture, considering there are concession stands, information booths, educational presentations, band performances and food stalls.
But of course, it helps if you love aviation — because there are planes.
Lots of them!
While Pratt & Whitney’s 747 has already departed from Boeing Plaza, one of the B-29 Superfortresses should still be on display along with a number of other historic Warbirds.
If that’s not enough, Wingfoot One and Two, Goodyear’s dynamic duo of historic blimps, are still on the grounds and will headline the July 26 night show.
So, rather unlike Jim Halpert, we’ll give you the rundown of what else to expect over the last three days of this year’s convention.
Admission to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
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.
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 airshows at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
While the aforementioned Goodyear airships are set to highlight both the daily and nightly shows, they won’t be the only highwire acts in town.
This weekend will feature a number of eyepopping feats of aerial maneuvers, aerobatics and unique airplanes.
Daily airshows start at 2:15 p.m. July 25 and 26, and at 1 p.m. July 27. A night show is slated for 8 p.m. July 26.
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, a flying example 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 at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
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 will run between KidVenture, the museum and the bus park.
EAA Aviation Museum
Aviation enthusiasts will be treated to various featured exhibits and presentations daily from 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 admitted 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 on a five-story projection screen. Each movie is free of cost and includes free popcorn. Here’s the remaining movie lineup:
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.
The 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 Oshkosh
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.
Here are some of the remaining highlights:
Friday, July 25
Saturday, July 26
Sunday, July 27
Shopping and food at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
There are no fewer than 13 shops and gift stores 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 at AirVenture
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 the 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 setup 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 set up 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: Your weekend guide to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, from airshows to forums and aircraft rides
Reporting by Justin Marville, Oshkosh Northwestern / Oshkosh Northwestern
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
