Branson Air Show
This weekend was the opening weekend for the Branson Airport and they put on an air show that rivaled any I had ever seen. Overall there were an estimated 70,000+ that saw the show over the three day period, 25,000 people alone on Saturday.
Many people interested in visiting Branson, MO were surprised to find out the nearest airport to Branson was over 50 away in Springfield, MO. Last year almost 90 percent of Branson's visitors traveled there by car. Entreprenuers recognized the need and seized the opportunity to build the United States first privately funded airport. Usually airports are owned by cities or other government entities and have a certain amount of red tape that go along with their construction and operation. By eliminating the buearacracy it allowed the Branson Airport to be built in a record 22 months. It also left the owners free to make their own deals for service from strategic cities for specific periods.
The airport is located a few miles off Highway 65 south of Branson (actually in Hollister, MO). The road to the Branson Airport is very pleasant and has some amazing views of the Ozark Mountains, but it took some show attenders over 2 hours to make the bus trip from the remote parking locations to the show. The terminal itself is like none I had ever seen. It had a top-of-the-line ski lodge feel and was decorated in rock and tall posts.
I had seen air shows in previous years at Whiteman Airforce Base located near Knob Noster, MO, but to me, the First Annual Branson Airport Show had much more to offer. In addition to military and civilian aircraft on display, there was also a large, mobile, America's Army Virtual Exhibit. Although I never got the chance to go into the exhibit as the line was a couple of hundred people long all day, people I talked to enjoyed it and said it was worth the wait. The show itself consisted of all kinds of aircraft including the USAF Thunderbirds, US Army Golden Knights, A-10 East Demo Team, F-18 Hornet, Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, Manfred Radius, Patty Wagstaff, John Klatt (Air National Guard) C-17 Globemaster III, C-130J Super Hercules, B-17, B-25, P-51 Mustang, Sea Fury, P-47 and a F-15 Eagle. If they would have had a Harrier or a SR-71, it would have been truly complete. I'm definitely looking forward to next year's show!
The airport is located a few miles off Highway 65 south of Branson (actually in Hollister, MO). The road to the Branson Airport is very pleasant and has some amazing views of the Ozark Mountains, but it took some show attenders over 2 hours to make the bus trip from the remote parking locations to the show. The terminal itself is like none I had ever seen. It had a top-of-the-line ski lodge feel and was decorated in rock and tall posts.
I had seen air shows in previous years at Whiteman Airforce Base located near Knob Noster, MO, but to me, the First Annual Branson Airport Show had much more to offer. In addition to military and civilian aircraft on display, there was also a large, mobile, America's Army Virtual Exhibit. Although I never got the chance to go into the exhibit as the line was a couple of hundred people long all day, people I talked to enjoyed it and said it was worth the wait. The show itself consisted of all kinds of aircraft including the USAF Thunderbirds, US Army Golden Knights, A-10 East Demo Team, F-18 Hornet, Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, Manfred Radius, Patty Wagstaff, John Klatt (Air National Guard) C-17 Globemaster III, C-130J Super Hercules, B-17, B-25, P-51 Mustang, Sea Fury, P-47 and a F-15 Eagle. If they would have had a Harrier or a SR-71, it would have been truly complete. I'm definitely looking forward to next year's show!
Posted by Matthew at 5/12/2009 3:09 PM 
Categories: Branson MO, Branson Airport, Hollister MO
Tags: Branson MO Branson Hollister MO Branson Airport Branson Airport Show Whiteman Airforce Base
Categories: Branson MO, Branson Airport, Hollister MO
Tags: Branson MO Branson Hollister MO Branson Airport Branson Airport Show Whiteman Airforce Base
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