Cliff Robinson in his Stearman aerobatic plane will be part of Warsaw’s Air Show, coming Aug. 15-16. (Photo courtesy of cliffrobinsonaerobatics.com)

After months of preparation, the time has finally arrived. The second Warsaw Air Show starts up this Friday, and promises to offer the most entertaining aerobatic displays in the state.

“It will be the largest air show in Indiana,” Alan Hoover, a local pilot and one of the event’s organizers, told the Kosciusko County Commissioners in April. And the organizers are prepared for the mass of folks who will descend upon Warsaw Municipal Airport this weekend.

Festivities kick off at 3 p.m. on Friday with performance practices and the opening of the C-54 “Candy Bomber” tours (the Candy Bomber will not be open from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.). Plane versus car races run from 6-7 p.m. At 7:30 p.m. The Time Travelers will take to the stage, playing music from the 70s. The evening will end with a twilight balloon glow and an aerial performance by Hoover in a Stearman airplane.

The air show will open bright and early on Saturday, with balloon rides, aircraft arrivals and displays at 7 a.m. A model aircraft demonstration starts at 10 a.m. A patriotic skydiving routine will kick of the air show performances, held from noon to 4 p.m.

Performances will feature pilots Paul Grossnickle and Alan Hoover piloting a Stearman; Cliff Robinson with a 500 hp Stearman; Bob “Pitts Bob” Richards in his Pitts S1S; Ralph Lutes in his Air Tractor; Dave Folk piloting a F-4U Corsair; Patrick McAlee in a Pitts S1S “Blue Demon”; Hoover with a Staudacher S300 and the Commemorative Air Force/Glider Demo of a PT-26 Tow Ship.

Closing out the performances will be the Warbird Review, starting at 3 p.m., featuring World War II-era aircraft, including the Hooligans Flight Team featuring the T-34 “Mentor” and L-17 “Navion,” a P-51, T-6 Texan, Stearman and the Yak-52 Formation Team. As part of the review, the C-54 “Candy Bomber” will re-enact the Berlin Airlift and drop candy bars tied to parachutes onto the showgoers below.

Throughout the event, airplane, balloon and helicopter rides will be provided on a first-come first-serve basis. Aircraft displays and demonstrations, including crop dusters and gliders, will also be going on during the air show.

While the show is sure to be fun and entertaining, it is also meant to honor and aid veterans. Some proceeds will be donated to Hoosiers Helping Heroes. Furthermore, proceeds form souvenir sales will be given to Housing Opportunities of Warsaw.

Additionally, vendors will be on hand and children’s activities will be going on throughout the event. Admission is free (but donations are encouraged). Click HERE for the complete schedule.