OSHKOSH (NBC26) — EAA Airventure is back in Oshkosh after being held virtually last year due to the pandemic. It's the world's largest aviation convention that draws thousands to Northeast Wisconsin every year.
“More than 10,000 airplanes come to the region. We can park as many as 5,000 at Wittman Regional Airport at any given time," said Dick Knapinski, the EAA director of communications. "It is a celebration of flight.”
Masks are not required this year but they are recommended for those who are unvaccinated. The convention is also making accommodations to maintain social distancing.
"We’re eliminating some seats in some of the foreign venues to give more spacing," Knapinski said. "Our airshow will have twin air show boxes at times where people can sit on either end and still have the action right in front of them with one performance going on on the north end and another on the south end.”
In the midst of the pandemic, the convention is making a salute to humanitarian aviation with attractions such as an Orbis flying hospital.
Knapinski says UPS will also make make an appearance with a 747 to show part of their COVID vaccine delivery system that has delivered more than 400 vaccines worldwide.
He recommends visitors pay for parking ahead of time to avoid admission crowds. For the first time this year, admission for children 18 and under is free.
EAA Airventure 2021 will run until August 1st. To view the daily air show schedule and purchase tickets, you can visit eaa.org.
