Air show expecting 12,000 to 25,000 people

Organizers of this year's Cape Girardeau Regional Air Festival are preparing for big crowds Saturday and Sunday.

John Dissauer, publicity liason for the air festival, said he is expecting the crowd at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport to be anywhere from 12,000 to 25,000 people.

Past air shows have drawn 8,000 and 10,000 people on average.

Dissauer said social networking on Twitter and Facebook along with other forms of media have been used to spread the word about the show, which will feature the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. The flight team last performed in Cape Girardeau in 1992.

According to the air festival's website, there will be four off-site parking stations. Those coming from Cape Girardeau or north of the airport are advised to park at Cape Girardeau Central High School at exit 95 or ABF Trucking on Nash Road at exit 91. Those coming from the south are advised to park at Scott City High School on Route M at exit 89 or Rhodes Truck Stop on Nash Road (east of I-55) at exit 91.

There will be free shuttle buses to transport the public to the airport. The buses will start at 8 a.m. and continue until the end of the show.

VIP ticket holders will be able to park in a designated parking area on the airport grounds. Handicapped and motorcycle parking is also on the airport grounds.

Other highlights for the event are war aircraft, according to Dissauer.

There will be a B-17 World War II bomber, nicknamed Sentimental Journey, as well as a B-25 bomber on display. "The B-17 is one of World War II's largest bombers. There are only about 50 left, so it's rare to see," Dissauer said.

People may also "pay a couple hundred dollars to actually ride in a flight," Dissauer said.

Tickets purchased in advance are $12 for adults (12 and up) and $7 for children (7 to 12). Tickets at the gate are $15 for adults and $10 for children. All children under 7 are free with a paying adult. Tickets can be bought at Rhodes 101 Convenience Stores, the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.

For more information, visit www.capeairfestival.com.

Air festival lineup

Saturday and Sunday

Gates open at 9 a.m.

Opening ceremonies begin at 11:30 a.m.

U.S. Army Golden Knights

Melissa Pemberton

Kyle and Amanda Franklin

Team RV

Skip Stewart

WWII Tribute

Chris Avery Corsair solo

Doolittle Raid re-enactment

U.S. Air Force A-10 demonstration

Heritage Flight

Vlado Lenoch P-51 solo

U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute demonstration

Skip Stewart and Melissa Pemberton

Fat Albert and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels

Schedule is approximate and subject to change.