Air show returns to region

With the sky over Spokane as their stage, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team will headline Skyfest 2014 next week at Fairchild Air Force Base.

The open house and air show will take place May 31 and June 1. The airfield opens to visitors at 9 a.m. both days, with performances beginning at 11 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m. Admission is free.

It is the first time since 2010 that the Spokane area has seen an air show.

"It's not an event that everyone is able to offer this year," said 1st Lt. Matt Sanders.

Fairchild is one of just four Air Force Air Mobility Command bases authorized to host air shows in 2014.

Under federal sequestration, the Thunderbirds and other military air demonstration teams were grounded last year.

Sanders said Fairchild leadership sees it as an opportunity to give something back to a community that has been very supportive of it.

They're expecting 150,000 visitors per day during the air show, spectators and enthusiasts from states throughout the region, Sanders said.

At Fairchild, preparations for Skyfest have been taking place for nearly a year.

"Safety is our main priority," Sanders said.

He said they have gone over safety measures extensively and practiced emergency response procedures, partnering with off-base agencies and the Spokane County emergency management team.

Civilian performers include Jacquie B in Extra 300, Smoke-n-Thunder Jet Car, Jelly Belly's Kent Pietsch, the Cascade Warbirds, Mustang High Flight, Dan Buchanan, Addison Pemberton's Boeing 40C and Stearman Flight.

The show also includes a P-51 and F-16 Heritage flight.

A large collection of static aircraft will also be on display during the show.

Info: bit.ly/SkyFest.