DURANT, Okla. — Take to the Skies AirFest returns to Durant Regional Airport–Eaker Field on Saturday, March 29, presented by the Choctaw Casino.
“’Shutik Isht Ia’ is the Choctaw translation for Take to the Skies,” Debby Standefer, president of the Take to the Skies AirFest, stated. “We are very exited to be returning and promoting the City of Durant and their beautiful airport as well as the unique opportunity to feature cultural information and education of the Choctaw Nation.”
“We are proud to honor our military during our show and this year feature a Celebration of the Choctaw Code Talkers,” she continued. “The Choctaw were actually the original Code Talkers and we are honored to celebrate them.”
Opening Ceremonies Saturday afternoon at the start of the airshow will include Choctaw dancers and singers, honor guards, flybys, skydivers and more, she said.
“We are excited to sponsor the second annual Take to the Skies AirFest at the Durant Regional Airport. This inspiring event is a perfect outing for the entire family. We expect this year’s event to be bigger and better than last year. It’s a must see,” said Arlene Alleman, Corporate Director of Marketing for Choctaw Casinos.
The event opens at 10 am Saturday. Before and after the airshow there will be helicopters, airplanes, warbirds from the Commemorative Air Force, powered hang gliders and parachutes, skydivers, radio control aircraft and more, in static displays and demonstrations.
Flights for the public will be available throughout the day in helicopters, airplanes, warbirds and biplanes.
The airshow begins at 2 pm. Mike “Spanky” Gallaway, announcer for the famous Red Bull Air Races and other prestigious events, will announce the show and fly as well.
The stars of the show are the Trojan Phlyers Demo Team (pictured above). Decorated combat veteran pilots perform precision close formation aerobatic routines demonstrating the performance of the Trojan T28 warbird and the flying expertise acquired in formal military training.
Blue Skies Parachute team will perform and a great line up of performers is set to fly for you. Organizers note they are still adding performers.
The mission of the AirFest is to encourage young adults to become involved in aviation, organizers noted.
Online discounted tickets for the festival are $8 for 13 and up, $5 kids 6-12, Seniors 65+ and military with ID. Kids under 6 free.
For more information: TakeToTheSkiesAirfest.com