Airport Issues

Another Year, Another Great Air Show
The Greater Peoria Airport Authority and the Prairie Air Show, Inc. proudly present this year's Eagle Radio Prairie Air Show, "Pride on the Prairie," August 6 and 7. This year's main attraction will be the Army Aviation Demonstration Team. Once again, we'll be offering a premium air show in downstate Illinois.

This year's show will be packed with wonderful activities for the entire family. Gates open at 9 a.m., so you can come early to enjoy all the wonderful static displays such as the C-5A Galaxy-the largest airplane in the United States-and much more. Aerobatic performances from Jimmy Franklin, Dan Buchanan, John Mohr, Skip Stewart, and many more will begin around noon. The Army Aviation Demonstration Team also will bring their Heuy helicopter, which will be available for rides to the public each day. Just as exciting, we'll have the Super Shockwave, the 57 Chevy Pickup, with two jet engines attempting to set a land speed record.

To help you navigate at the air show and due to the generosity by Tanner's Orchards, there will be two passenger trams running a continuous loop throughout the air show area. Again this year, we're offering a family pack of tickets, which enables two adults and up to four children to enjoy the show. You can purchase your tickets or find out more about this year's show by visiting www.prairieair.com.
The air show continues to be a strong community event for all of us to be proud of. We're working with many local organizations to have young people attend the air show. Proceeds continue to support the Challenger Center for Space Science Education and several Peoria area not-for-profit organizations. The goal of the Learning Center is "[t]hrough scheduled team missions, the Challenger Learning Center promotes leadership, communications, problem-solving and critical thinking skills while supporting our country's goals of improving science, math and technology education." To learn more about the programs offered at the Learning Center, please visit www.challengercentralillinois.org.

We also are working hard to minimize the impact for those of you planning to travel on those dates. The airport won't be closed, as the airlines will be operating; however, there may be some schedule changes. Please check with your airline.

We hope to see you this year at the air show. And, as always, thank you for supporting the Greater Peoria Regional Airport. IBI