Air show returns to Broomfield
For the first time in three years, an air show is coming to the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport.
Saturday’s free event will feature aerobatic acts and flybys, along with a 250-vehicle car show, beer and food vendors and unique aircraft.
Aerobatic performances will be from 10:30 a.m to noon and from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Rocky Mountain Air & Ground Festival.
Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport is the fourth busiest airport in Colorado with more than 150,000 annual operations and more than 400 aircraft based on the field. It was founded and is sponsored by Jefferson County and will be co-hosted by the airport.
Airport Director Paul Anslow expects about 20,000 people will attend the air show.
“It’s a good way to reach out to the community and showcase our airport that we’re very proud of,” Anslow said. “It’s to let our neighbors come and see what we do everyday and for local businesses to show what they do with different planes and equipment.”
Performers with MileHi Skydiving will be one of the acts, which includes a man with an American flag and a girl who will sing the national anthem.
“She’ll sing the last note as the guy touches down,” Anslow said. “It’s quite a way to start a show.”
Other performers include Dick Fennell, a competitive aerobatic pilot and his MXS-R aircraft; Rocky Mountain Renegades, a locallybased aerobatic team; Pilot Maker Airshows (T-6 Texan); Mini-Jet Airshows (SubSonex jet); Franklin’s Flying Circus (Demon-1, Piper Cub); and Free Man Airshows (Extra 330).
“He comes in and drags a wing on the ground,” Anslow said about Franklin’s Flying Circus. “It almost makes it look like the plane is going to crash. He’s really entertaining.”
There will be military aircraft on display from the Air Force and Navy.
“They’re all awesome,” Anslow said.
In the past, airport officials used to hire management teams to handle air shows, Anslow said, which require a “huge amount of time and are very expensive.”
Previous directors were not entirely enthusiastic about running shows, but Anslow said he had a background in running shows in Hawaii and jumped at the opportunity to host one in Colorado.
Despite the show, Rocky Mountain Metropolitan still is a functioning airport with regular flights coming in and taking off.
The windows of time they can do aerobatic flight are allowed by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Vendors will sell everything from books and jewelry to car parts and high-end designer clothing, Anslow said.
The airport is closing one runway and a taxi way for the show, which will be accessible through the main entrance.
The event is free, Anslow said, but the airport is charging $5 a vehicle to park to help defray the costs of the show.
“We’re definitely not
If you go
What: Rocky Mountain Air & Ground Festival
When: Saturday Gates open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aerobatic performances: 10:30 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 3 p.m.
Where: Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, 11755 Airport Way, Broomfield Cost: Free to enter. Prices vary by vendor.
More info: Call 303-371-4850 or email info@flyrmma.com going to make any money,” he said. “In fact, the airport is taking a big budget hit.”
Residents are allowed to bring in lawn chairs, but no ice chests and no pets. No smoking will be allowed inside the fence line.
The car show will be hosted by the Collector Car Council of Colorado.
Brewery vendors include Joyride Brewing, Wonderland Brewing and LandLocked Ales.
Food vendors will be: Benders Bar and Grill, Bonefish Grill, Corner Gourmet, Infinitus Pie, Ems Ice Cream, Funnels Food Truck, Kona Ice, Mile Hi Popcorn, Smokestack 70 and Tim’s Italian Ice.