Every year, the 1940s returns to Boulder Municipal Airport (KBDU) in Colorado with the annual 1940s Ball.
Along with the dancing and live entertainment, the ball features lots of general aviation airplanes, from both that era and beyond.
In 2025, participating aircraft included the Commemorative Air Force’s SNB-5 “Sonoran Beauty,” a Cessna 195, a Navion, a DC-3, a T-6, an L-4 Birddog, a Stearman, a Ryan PT-22, a Yak 52, a TBM Avenger, a Piper Cub, and more, plus many vintage cars and military equipment, including Jeeps, artillery, and tanks.
Guests are encouraged to dress like the 1940s and at the 2025 ball there were more than a few attendees in civilian and military garb that was indisputably vintage and genuine.
There was also the Glenn Miller Orchestra, guest singer Donny Most (who is most famous as Ralph Malph on Happy Days,) a Bob Hope impersonator (complete with dancing and singing women), World War II re-enactors and military vehicles, and more.
The local wing of the Commemorative Air Force sponsored a photo booth in front of its Beechraft SNB-5 and led an extensive fly-by of several vintage aircraft.
Even vintage superheroes attended, with at least four Captain Americas in evidence.
The event is sponsored by The 1940s Ball, a non-profit organization that produces two annual events, including the 1940s Ball and the 1940s White Christmas Ball.
The non-profit donates a portion of the ticket sales to other non-profits, including The Colorado 10th Mountain Division Foundation, The Commemorative Air Force Mile High Wing, and The Audie Murphy Infantry Museum. Over the years, it has donated more than $120,000 to the other organizations, according to officials.
For more information: 1940sBall.org
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