Augusta Airshow returns for first time in over two decades, famed Thunderbirds headline two day event

Samantha Winn, Aiken Standard, S.C.
·3 min read

May 11—Roaring planes will fly at top speeds over Georgia and South Carolina this weekend at the Augusta Air Show.

Featuring the famed U.S. Thunderbirds from the Air Force branch, and other aerobatic performers like the Red Bull Air Force and the Socom ParaTroopers, the airshow returns to the Augusta Regional Airport for the first time since 2000.

"We really encourage kids to come out... ," said Lauren Smith, assistant director of marketing and PR at Augusta Regional Airport. "It is something fun to do for the community, we haven't had something like this in 20 years. I know I am bringing my girls out and they are ecstatic to come so bring your kids out."

Smith said the airshow is a good way to spark interest and excitement in aviation and might inspire kids to pursue careers in the aviation industry which "is in dire need of pilots and aircraft mechanics."

"Airshows are patriotic in nature, so you can come out and be a part of waving the American flag and watching some of the folks that protect our freedom every day," said Chris Dirato, PR director for the Augusta Air Show. "I think that is very important, airshows are inherently family friendly but it can be an educational tool. You can bring your kids out and you can show them what our military do on a daily basis for us."

Over 200 staff and crew members will travel into the city to help with the airshow. Smith said they are expecting a sizable economic impact for the region.

The staff and crew are going to be staying in Augusta and visiting area restaurants and businesses, and people will be coming to Augusta from throughout the CSRA to see the airshow, Smith said.

" We just had the Masters and we had a lot of traffic there and this is another big draw to highlight the area," Smith said.

"I think it's a lot of beneficial noise and smoke," said Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson. "You get not only the residents of Augusta, but the residents of this entire region together to come take a look at some fast and cool airplanes, to get an opportunity to be outdoors and to get an opportunity to celebrate community."

Major Lauren Schlichting, a Thunderbirds No. 4 Slot Pilot in her second season, is excited to fly over a new area of the country and be a source of inspiration for young kids who have an interest in aviation.

"I think that it is just really important because when you see someone that looks like you doing something that you want to do it gives you motivation and you are like, 'Oh cool, if they can do that, I can do that,'" Schlichting said. "It's important for me to represent that for little girls because I was that little girl who wanted to be a fighter pilot."

"They are here to inspire the youth of America and let them know that there are careers available in the Air Force," Dirato said.

Advance tickets to the airshow are $33.50 for adults and $25 for children. Gates open at 9:30 a.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit augustaairshow.com.

Tickets can be purchased online through the Augusta Airshow website. Several nearby access roads will be closed. For more information on parking and driving directions, visit the interactive map online.

Samantha Winn covers the cities of North Augusta and Augusta, with a focus on community oriented business and events. Follow her on Twitter: @samanthamwinn and on Facebook and Instagram: @swinnnews.