DENVER — The Rocky Mountain Airshow broke all previous attendance records this year with attendance of 60,000 this year.
Featuring astounding aerial performances, the show, held the weekend of Aug. 24-26, added hot air balloons and expanded the Adventure Zone/Space Pavilion with aviation-focused STEM programs, along with hosting the 33rd annual Rocky Mountain Regional Fly-In.
“We were thrilled to bring the most sought after aerobatic performers to Denver this year,” stated Jim Cimiluca, Event Chairman. “Kirby Chambliss, five-time U.S. National Aerobatic Champion and two time Red Bull Air Race World Champion, was incredible. We were very proud to be selected by a very exclusive team as one of only 20 events worldwide to host the USAF F-22 Raptor.”
The all new Rocky Mountain BalloonFest brought hot air balloons back to Denver with a Friday night glow and morning sunrise launches and featured the first appearance of the Planet Earth balloon.
Airdhow performers appearing throughout the weekend included: USAFA Wings of Blue Parachute Demo, Rocky Mountain Renegades, Dan Buchanan, USAFA Glider Demo, Gary Rower, Melissa & Rex Pemberton, Red Stars, Don Nelson/Matt Tanner, Mark Johnson/Roy Halladay, Pyro the Jet Truck, Kent Pietsch, Trojan Phlyers, Kirby Chambliss, F-22 Raptor and the Raptor in Heritage Flight with a P51 Mustang.
The show is organized by Colorado Sport Aviation, a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to serve and promote recreational aviation through the hosting of an annual airshow and regional fly-in. This year, the organization Colorado continued its tradition of presenting scholarships and giving back to the community by contributing more than $100,000 this year, 2012. This brings the total scholarship and contribution amount to more than $300,000 over the past four years since relocating the airshow to its current location in Broomfield, Colo., organizers say.
For more information: CoSportAviation.org