By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
On September 12 and 13, once again Pryor Field Airport Authority (DCU) will be hosting the North Alabama Airfest, and this year will be the roll out of a nighttime show on Saturday. “What?” I gaped at Adam Fox, CEO of our beautiful regional airport located parallel to Calhoun College in Decatur. I asked further with no small amount of incredulity, “How is that possible?” We’ll “spill the tea” all over that in a second, but first, a reminder that because this is our 250th birthday as the U. S. of A., fireworks are going to be literally shot off the wings of planes, and that’s just for starters! Adam told me, “There are just a few nighttime shows in the country, and the short answer to your question is, “Professionals.” I already am a huge fan of the Airfest, and as I am hoping to be amongst the 20,000 expected attendees for the weekend, I think the only appropriate response to all of it is, “This, I GOTTA see!”
Adam; his wife and graphic artist, Autum; Marketing and Events Coordinator, Denice Marco; along with the Pryor team are putting the finishing touches on what promises to be our best Airfest to date. Each Airfest takes about a year to plan, and they are also already working on 2027. During our conversation, the word “experience” came up several times, and all of them are committed to providing an excellent one. Another word that came up in our time together was “thank you,” and it was directed to everyone from generous sponsors to people who travelled from 37 states and 4 countries last year to attend the show.
This is a family-friendly event with more-than-reasonable ticket prices, and here is some of what you will have the opportunity to experience:
- The 187th Air Wing Red Tails F-35s that will be one of the reasons you’ll need earplugs (which you can also get at the show)
- Rides in Huey helicopters provided by Friends of Army Aviation
- Vintage planes from all aviation eras
- A “zero-gravity bubble” courtesy of US Space and Rocket Center and Space Camp
- A chance for a photo op inside a cockpit of a “Top Gun” plane, with a free 4’x 6” photo
- A V-1 and V2 flyover, confirmed
- A possible B1, B2, and B-52 flyover, depending on military availability
- Static aircraft displays of all kinds
- Mixed pyrotechnic displays, including coming out of a jet engine mounted on a truck
- Exotic car rides
- A cooling zone and LOTS of food trucks
Fans of aviation may already recognize some of these names who are celebrities in their world. Adam told me, “These are like the NASCAR champions of aviation.”
- Redline Airshows
- Mini-Jet Airshows
- G0 EZ Aerobatics- Kyle Fowler
- Warbird Thunder Airshows
- Ghostwriter Airshows
- Fighterjets, Inc MiG 17F and TA 4J Skyhawk
- Elliott Warbirds
- Smoke-N-Thunder Jet Shows
- Skip Stewart Air Shows
- Cody Elkins Air Shows
- John Scherff Air Shows
Adam also has more in mind than just providing aerial thrills and chills for one and all. The Airfest is something that gets “heads in beds” and “eats in seats” throughout Limestone/Morgan Counties. It is not unreasonable to forecast a million dollars in tourism revenue for the weekend, and that has also caused Pryor to be able to give back to the community. Donors are welcome, and last year more than $10K was given back to the community to support various aviation education programs in our area.
“Alabama has always led in the aviation industry, and aviation is responsible for 25% of our GDP. The Airfest will celebrate that,” Adam said. He went on to tell me that one of the things that is personally important to him is introducing the next generation to all aspects of aviation as a career field, which the Airfest accomplishes handily. Athens High School has an elective aviation class. Both Calhoun College and Athens State University have aviation programs, as does Auburn University. These include everything from mechanics to management, along with actually flying. I got to see a prototype of a beautifully designed license plate that is now available at the DMV. Its message is simple: “Alabama IS Aviation.”
For WWII history buffs, Pryor Field was the site of the Southeast Air Training facility for the service branches, and there are still Quonset huts that you can see from that time to prove it.
This year, all veterans are admitted free, and you just need to provide proof of service. Children under five get free admission as well. Adult tickets are $15, and children under 12 are $5. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to https://www.northalairfest.com. See you soon!
By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
