March ARB's Airfest 2006 draws more than 250,000

Published May 5, 2006
By Erickson J. Barnes
452nd Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. -- More than 250,000 people were estimated to have passed through the gates here during last weekend's air show, despite getting off to a gloomy start Saturday morning, April 29.

With dozens of aircraft in the air and on the ground, pyrotechnics, The Moving Wall and even a giant car-eating robot, this year's event was not lacking entertainment for the large crowds on both Saturday and Sunday.

"I thought it was great," said Desiree Lira, who attended Saturday's show. "Robosaurus was a little intimidating and the Thunderbirds are always impressive, but I really enjoy being able to get close (to the aircraft) - you don't realize how big some of them are until you're up close."

The shows began at about 9 a.m. with Ed Hamill performing in the Air Force Reserve Dream Machine and never slowed down from there. Performances included vintage and modern aircraft such as T-34s, P-51s, a KC-135, C-130, F-15E, F-16, F-18, F-117 Stealth, B-52, the 452nd Air Mobility Wing's own C-17 and many more. There were also performances by parachute teams from Canada and the U.S. Air Force Academy, the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales, the Speed for Hire Jet Truck, Robosaurus, four drivers from the Saab Performance Team, and finally the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds brought the show to a close.