Chesterfield county airshow

published in October 2007 in the Village News in Chesterfield, VA

by Angela Smith

Hundreds of kids sat, wide-eyed and fascinated, watching plane after plane form loop-de-loops in the sky, leaving multi-colored smoke trails behind them. Parachuters jumped fearlessly from death-defying heights. Even the adults couldn’t turn away.
Chesterfield County Regional Airport hosted its 3rd annual air show on Saturday and Sunday. “Soar and Explore” was the theme of the weekend, and there was plenty of each to go around. On the tarmac, numerous airplanes of all shapes, sizes and functions stood majestically, wowing onlookers who peeked inside at their inner workings. A few lucky kids got to sit in a military fighter plane’s pilot’s seat and push a few sinister-looking buttons.
But the real draw was in the sky. A clear, sunny expanse of blue made a stunning backdrop for the swirling vapor trails created by airplanes so high they were barely visible. Out of these planes dropped the Golden Knights, the U.S. Army Parachute Team. They slowly floated down with the help of huge black and gold chutes, to which the crowd applauded. The Knights have been performing at competitions and air shows for more than 44 years, hoping to recruit new soldiers.
A crowd favorite was the Barnstormer. This classic Wright-Brothers-style biplane dove down and climbed up, twirling gracefully all the way. Behind it, curls of smoke-clouds lingered in the air. Daredevils tempted death by walking on the wings in mid-air.
A big, shiny B-25 military bomber plane called Ranchito sped past almost too quickly for the eye to follow. Two small biplanes called Eagles dove in unison, swooping low as their name suggests, as if searching for prey.
Aside from the display of military and private aircraft, the event also consisted of a car show in which Ford Mustangs from the 1960s to the present strutted their stuff, front hoods open to show off their shiny engines, as well as several radio-controlled planes.
For the younger ones not quite interested in fancy air tricks, there was plenty else to do. The Kids Zone was a place for the kids to kick off their shoes and jump in an inflatable playhouse, climb a rock wall, or defy gravity, jumping while harnessed to a bungee cord. Carnival food was prevalent; pretzels, cotton candy, funnel cakes and hot dogs were everywhere.
This is the third year Chesterfield County has presented its air show. There were about 8 planes that flew and about 25 on display. Estimated attendance for both days was 30,000 to 35,000.
Airport secretary Julie Tilley described the event as absolutely wonderful. She said many people told her it was very well organized, and was the best air show yet that Chesterfield County has hosted. Very little went wrong, and attendees said they enjoyed themselves and will come back next year.
The event was sponsored by NBC 12, Uppy’s, Dominion Aviation, Delta Airport Consultants, Richmond Region 2007, Chesterfield Heritage Alliance, FedEx, Shamin Hotels and Enterprise Rent-a-car. Proceeds will benefit the United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg.