Airshow of the Cascades takes off August 27

The 2021 Airshow of the Cascades, held at the Madras Municipal Airport, is expected to draw large numbers of fans — and not only those with a love for vintage aircraft, but just all-around fun seekers. True, the show will be headlined by the famed U.S. Army Golden Knights, the world’s top military parachute team, appearing both days with a 12-person team that performs for the President of the United States, Super Bowls, and around the world.

Promoters bill the weekend affair as one of the premier summer events in Oregon that brings family, friends, youth, and veterans together to enjoy aerobatics, planes, cars, food, drinks, and music — an outdoor festival for all to enjoy.

The band Precious Byrd will perform Friday, 5-6:30 p.m .; Sweet Red & the Hot Rod Billies will take the stage the same time on Saturday.

Following the music and the fish-fry dinner or other food choices, Friday finishes up with a fireworks display choreographed to music, sponsored by Pacific Power.

For the kids there will be bouncy castles. For the not-so-faint-of-heart, High Desert Soaring will give you a powerless glider ride for $100. Bend Aircraft will have airplane rides and Leading Edge Helicopters will give you a lift for a charge.

Not all of the planes are propeller-driven. Jerod Flohr will demonstrate a T-6 jet. Renny Price takes the controls of Sukhoi SU-29. And Undaunted Airshows, a pairs performance by Stephen Christopher and Todd Rudberg, is likely to raise heart rates.

From Arizona Flying Museum, catch a ride on a WWII B-17 flying fortress. Saturday will feature not one but two B-17s in the air: “Ye Olde Pub” and “Sentimental Journey” are two of fewer than 10 remaining B-17s flying in the world.

The car show sponsored by Les Schwab is in itself a big draw, say the promoters. The entries include Custom or Import, any year; Muscle Car Stock, any year (no more than two upgrades); Original — Pre-1941 (no more than two upgrades); Original — 1941-1987 (no more than two upgrades; Pickup Truck — Pre-1987; Rat Rod or Sports Car, any year; Street Rod — 1948 and Older; and Street Machine — 1949 and Newer.

“It’s not just an airshow, one of only two in Oregon, and one of high caliber, but it’s a fun-filled family festival, one that’s sorely needed in the face of pandemic gloom,” said Joe Krenowicz, this year’s Airshow chair and director of the Madras Chamber of Commerce.

The general-admission ticket includes parking and entry to all on-site activities including car show, fly-in, live music, Friday fireworks, professional aerobatic performances, and static aircraft on display. Ticket-holders also receive free admission to the Erickson Aircraft Collection museum, which houses the largest privately owned collection of operational warbirds in the world.

Free museum shuttle service is available.

Other ticket options offer access to more opportunities. For tickets and more information, including RV, camper, and tent parking, visit www.cascadeairshow.com.