OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Seven days of everything aviation came to an end Sunday in Oshkosh, marking another successful year of EAA AirVenture.
While the final day of the festivities wrapped up, it was the perfect time for Kris Strach and his family to attend the event and avoid the crowds from earlier in the week.
“I’ve loved aviation since I’ve been a little kid. like I said, I’ve been flying radio control aircraft for over 20 years now. So I’ve had quite a bit of experience and have just a lot of exposure to aircraft and just a great atmosphere here,” said Strach.
EAA officials say a record 94 different countries were represented at AirVenture this year.
There were also a record 861 exhibitors on the grounds.
Official attendance numbers are not yet known, but organizers say preliminary numbers for 2024 look similar to last year’s record-breaking attendance of roughly 677,000.
“If you see an interesting airplane, the people that are there showing it, they’ve got a story,” said Jack Pelton, CEO of EAA. “Everybody’s got a story and they want to share that story.”
For many, while the air shows offer big excitement, they get just as much out of AirVenture on an educational level.
“Our grandson saw the show, got into aviation, or the concept of it and joined the young eagles,” said John Palsir of Elk Grove Village, Illinois. “So, the EAA job here is fantastic, for getting young people involved.”
With AirVenture’s final flyovers up above, attendees are already looking forward to what next year brings.
“It’s a lot like Christmas, there’s only 360 days to go until next year,” said Palsir.
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