When the sun rises over Lake Erie this weekend, Burke Lakefront Airport will transform into an arena of celestial wonders: jet engines will roar, pilots will perform dizzying maneuvers, and the air will be filled with the scent of aviation fuel and adrenaline. The Cleveland Air Show, which starts on Saturday and runs through Monday, is not just a conclusion to the Labor Day weekend — it symbolizes a broader renaissance of aviation spectacles across the United States, where attendance is not only maintaining levels but setting records despite predictions of an 'aging' audience.
We have seen airshows evolve from nostalgic relics of the Cold War to dynamic cultural phenomena. This year’s Cleveland show theme — "Rock The Land" — perfectly reflects this shift: it’s not just airplanes in the sky, but a pulsating fusion of patriotism, technology, and entertainment that attracts youth eager for real experiences in the digital era of screens.
"Since the pandemic began, similar to PGA golf tournaments, airshows nationwide are experiencing a real boom in popularity," — said Kim Dell, executive director of the Cleveland Air Show, in a conversation with me. Under her leadership, this event, which has been running for over half a century, has earned prestigious awards, including 'Airshow of the Year' from World Airshow News and marketing accolades from the International Council of Airshows (ICAS). ICAS data, based on 2023 surveys, confirm a trend: the average age of adult attendees has decreased to less than 39 years, with a focus on the 30-50 age group. The percentage of spectators over 60 has declined, while the number of youth up to 40 has increased — a small but steady growth signaling a generational shift.
This evolution is no coincidence. COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst: people tired of isolation gravitated towards open spaces, where the roar of engines and aerial spectacles offer escapism unavailable in virtual reality. Add in social media’s influence — TikTok and Instagram are flooded with viral videos of aerobatics, drones, and parachutists — and you understand why airshows have become magnets for Generation Z and Millennials. According to ICAS, annually, 325-350 such events are held in the U.S. and Canada, attracting 10-12 million visitors overall, with record-breakers like the EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, gathering over 686,000 people in 2024 — an all-time record.
In Cleveland, where the show has been held since 1964 as the successor to the legendary National Air Races of 1929-1949, the economic impact is impressive: according to Enigma Research 2024, the event generates over $13.1 million for the local economy, attracting tourists from beyond Northeast Ohio. Its unique lakeside location transforms the show into a hybrid of sporting competition and summer festival: it’s not just about watching but engaging — talking to pilots, touring aircraft, participating in STEM exhibits. "The airshow is a patriotic and emotional spectacle, different from sporting events where spectators sit in seats. Our visitors walk around, socialize, even enter cockpits," — Dell noted.
This year’s headliners will include the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds with their diamond formations and supersonic maneuvers — alternating with the Navy’s Blue Angels, ensuring freshness. They will be joined by civilian aerobats, military demonstrations, vintage planes, and a new feature: Red Bull Air Force with a helicopter flying upside down. "They are the only ones in the world doing this, and they will truly 'give you wings,'" — Dell laughs. Additional attractions include jet-truck races with aircraft, interactive exhibits, and tours of unique aircraft, making the show accessible to families: the average ticket price nationwide is about $35, and Cleveland keeps within these bounds, offering premium options and packages.
On a national level, the picture is equally compelling. SUN 'n FUN in Florida attracts over 200,000 annually, the Pacific Airshow in California up to 700,000 on the beach, and the free Chicago Air & Water Show draws a million. As a veteran who has covered similar events from Farnborough in England to Oshkosh, I am convinced: airshows are evolving by integrating drones, virtual reality, and an emphasis on education to combat digital apathy. They are no longer just about nostalgia — they are about the future, where technology meets human spirit.
In Cleveland, where attendance in recent years has spanned all 50 states and 14 countries, the show remains an institution: families picnic, children with wide eyes watch in awe, youth seek adrenaline. The economic impact runs into millions, but the emotional one is priceless. As trends for 2025 show, with calendars filled with top events from VERTICON to AUVSI XPONENTIAL, airshows are not just surviving — they are soaring into a new era.
Tickets for the Cleveland National Air Show are available at clevelandairshow.com. The event will take place August 30-31 and September 1 at Burke Lakefront Airport, 1501 N. Marginal Rd. Don’t miss it — the sky calls.
