The air show at Augusta Regional Airport can now officially be called an annual event.
The second annual Air Show Augusta will be held on May 25 and 26, and the first of the performers has been announced.
The U.S. Air Force’s F-22 Raptor Demo Team will be the centerpiece for this year’s show.
“They’re one of the more, shall we say, loud and boisterous jet demo teams that are out there,” Chris Dirato, Director of Public Relations for the event, told ABD, adding that is the first of many performers. “The website is going to give you the most real-time information in terms of performers. In the forthcoming weeks, additional performers, be they military or civilian performers, will be announced.
Prior to the 2023 event, it had been 20 years since Augusta Regional hosted an air show. Destination Augusta had anticipated more than 25,000 would attend with an estimated economic impact of $172,000 on Richmond County hotels and businesses.
They estimated low.
Destination Augusta told ABD the actual economic impact was more than $244,000 for the lodging and other businesses in Richmond County.
“I’m excited to have this event back in 2024, and kudos to the Airport Commission and staff for bringing a quality family event like this to our region,” said Bennish Brown, President and CEO of Destination Augusta.
“It was widely received by so many different people. Not only the fans, but we had great partners in the airport and with the city. Everything was perfect. So much so, that we’re coming back. We anticipate a bigger and better show this year, and hopefully, the weather will cooperate. It’s always something out of our hands,” said Dirato, with a chuckle.
Leading up to this year’s event, organizers are again recruiting sponsors and volunteers. The hope is the success of the 2023 air show will stir interest with businesses to come on board as sponsors.
“We feel like we came in and proved ourselves, if you will,” said Dirato. “Hopefully, businesses and companies in the Augusta area will gravitate to coming out to support the show and be a part of it. We’d like local businesses to get involved and put their product in front of the folks that come in and buy it on a daily basis.”
Advance ticket sales have begun on the show’s website, with special pricing for a President’s Day promotion. Tickets are 45% off the price of lawn boxes and general admission with $50 off preferred seating and Flight Line Club tickets. Tickets include a parking pass. The sale runs through Tuesday. Tickets must be purchased in advance; no tickets are sold on the days of the show.
Gates will open at 9:00 a.m. on both days.
Links to purchase tickets, sign up as a volunteer, or become a show sponsor are at: https://augustaairshow.com.
