Air Show Options For This Summer in Missouri Listed

If you love air shows like I do, then you will have a few options this summer in Missouri if you don't mind traveling a few miles to get there.

The big one for me is Wings Over Whiteman due to the fact that admission is free, and the air base is only 20 miles from home. Plus it's a two-day event, in case the weather is bad one of those two days in July. Or you can attend both days, if you have the desire and stamina.

The only problem is there is very little info available right now for that show. But we'll keep you posted when details become available. If you know of any other air shows in Missouri, by all means, let us know.

St. Louis Air Show June 8 at Spirit of St. Louis Airport (Chesterfield)

The show is scheduled for Saturday, June 8-Sunday, and June 9 from 9 to 5 at
18130 Edison Ave., Chesterfield. The air show will feature the US Navy Blue Angels. Also scheduled to appear are Skip Stewart, the F-22, Matt Younkin with his Beech 18, The Chuters and the F-35B. Surrounded by a fantastic Air Show, the STEM Expo aims to provide engaging and meaningful STEM activities that showcase the integration of STEM in the real world and workforce.  General admission tickets for Saturday are $30 each, and tickets for Sunday are $25 each. Kids 12 and under are free. More pricey options are available for exclusive seating near the flight line, ranging from $45 to $170.

Wings Over Whiteman Air Show, July 13-14 at WAFB

Few details are available for the 2024 show, except that the USAF Thunderbirds are expected to perform. The last time the Thunderbirds were at Whiteman was 2015.  The 2022 show was canceled “due to competing mission priorities.” And the 2020 show was canceled due to the COVID pandemic. We are long overdue for a WOW air show. We will update as details become available. One aircraft mentioned was the B-29 “Doc.” WOW is typically a free show, making it one of the more popular air shows in Missouri. (660) 687-7959

Sound of Speed Airshow, Sept. 14-15 at St. Joseph

The upcoming Sound of Speed Airshow at Rosecrans Memorial Airport in St. Joseph, Mo., will showcase the US Air Force Thunderbirds Sept. 14-15 from 10 to 4. The Sound of Speed Airshow was awarded Best Showsite of the Year for their 2021 airshow. No ticket info is available at this time. (816) 766-1738

The Lake of the Ozarks Air Show, Sept. 7 at Camdenton Airport

The Lake of the Ozarks one-day air show will feature air show performers, historical aircraft, and entertainment. This year's theme honors Vietnam Veterans. Parking is $10 per vehicle on Sept. 10 from 9 to 6, with free shuttle service. The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall can be viewed for free on September 8, 9 and 11. Handicap parking and golf cart shuttles are available. See more at https://lakeoftheozarksairshow.com/

Bass Pro Air Show at Ridgedale (Branson) July 4-6

This event reportedly will feature the USAF F-22 Raptor

Show Me State Air Show at Jeff City, Sept. 14-15

One of the featured acts will be Steven Covington and his Pitts S25.

Sadly, the popular Memorial Day Weekend Salute To Veterans Air Show has ceased operations. The last show was held in 2018. In 2019, the planned venue for the show, Jefferson City Airport, was flooded days before the scheduled event and was promptly canceled.

In late October of 2019, the organization (Memorial Day Weekend Salute to Veterans Corporation) announced that the air show had ceased all operations, citing the unavailability of either the Jeff City or Columbia Regional Airports as reliable venues.

“Unfortunately, all things run their course. It is with heavy hearts we announce that Salute to Veterans has ended it's mission and ceased all activities,” a facebook post read.

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And according to Sedalia Regional Airport Manager Derrick Dodson, there will be no air show or open house this fall like there was last year.

Now I know my story focuses on Missouri air shows, but if you are so inclined to drive even further, there's an air show in Wichita, Kansas, scheduled for Aug. 24-25, called the Frontiers In Flight Open House & Air Show at McConnell Air Force Base. Scheduled to appear are the US Navy Blue Angels and the USAF F-35A Lightning II aircraft.

And Oct. 26-27 is the Thunder Over The Heartland Airshow in Topeka, Kansas, with the USAF Thunderbirds scheduled to perform.

Close to 200 air shows are scheduled for 2024 across America, from February through early December.