2010 Chico Air Show – Fun for the Entire Family!

We all know children love getting up close to something so they can touch and feel what they are looking at.  Hands on is what it’s all about when you’re a kid! Also, what child is not enamored by airplanes?  This year’s Chico Air Show promises something for the kid in all of us – from young to old - with heart pounding aerial performances to planes on the ground that you can see to a shaded Kid’s Zone tent and play area!

On September 25 and 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the air show takes flight! Thrilling aerial demonstrations will fill the skies, and a carnival atmosphere will fill the tarmac at the Chico Municipal airport.  Food concessionaires, interesting displays, fun and excitement all add to the “family fun” experience. And, especially for the kids – R. W. Knudsen is proud to present the “Kid’s Zone.”

Kid’s Zone sponsor R.W. Knudsen supports the kid’s activities at the air show and will be providing the children of Chico with delicious complimentary healthy snacks that will refresh and rejuvenate any child, especially after a big day on the tarmac. “Sensible Sippers” will be offered at the event as well as samples of R.W. Knudsen’s new sparkling water line and their popular spritzers.

In the Kid’s Zone children can work on projects like coloring activities, aircraft passports, and art projects.  Passports get the children involved by encouraging children to walk to different airplanes and retrieve the tail numbers from the back of the aircraft.  Once their Passport is complete and turned in, the kids will be entered into a drawing to win a free aircraft ride.

Another entertaining Kid Zone craft offered at this years air show is the building of balsa wood airplanes. But parents, don’t worry if your crafting skills are lacking!!  The host of this activity, the Oroville Air Corps Model Club will be volunteering their expertise during crafting time in case help is needed for adults and children!

A new activity planned for this year at the Kid Zone tent will be the “Science Corner.”  This new and exciting interactive kid’s activity area is brought to the air show by the recently opened Gateway Science Museum.  Aviation and science go hand in hand and kids will enjoy learning about how science relates to their everyday lives.

In addition to the other activities, Kid’s Zone will provide computers for future aviators where they will be able to try their hand at a flight simulator program.  So even if your children do not win the plane ride from the passport activity they will be able to see what flying a real plane would feel like!

When your kids are ready to hit the flight line again they can watch the extremely thrilling aerial maneuvers of the nine jet Canadian Forces Snowbirds Demonstration Team. Chico is proud to be the only city in northern California to host a jet team this year!  Plus be sure to tour the huge C-17 which is the type of airplane used to transport presidential vehicles and other cargo on various trips throughout the world.

Also fun for kids is Kent Piestch, flying his exuberant yellow Jelly Belly aircraft.  Not only will Kent wow the kids with his flying skills, but he will impress them further by executing a landing on a moving truck driving down the runway.  Melissa Pemberton, the youngest female ever to perform on the U.S. Unlimited Aerobatic Team will also entertain young and old alike with her gravity defying aerial aerobatics. A parachute jump team, a jet-powered car and the exciting A-10 round out the performances.

Major supporters of the Chico Air Show include the Northern California National Bank and STOTT Outdoor Advertising.  The air show would also like to thank R.W. Knudsen for their support in the Kid’s Zone this year! Chico Air Show, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to developing a fun-filled educational community event for the northstate.  Proceeds from the event are donated to local charities including the North Valley Aviation Association for youth Flight Academy scholarships.  For more information please visit out website at www.chicoairshow.org.

From static displays of airplanes, aerial demonstrations, a chance to win a plane ride, kids and families will treasure this experience for years to come!  Life can be hectic and extremely busy at times, but the memories your children gain will last a lifetime. So come enjoy “Jets Galore and More” at the Chico Air Show this September!