Field of Flight

Air show and balloon show
taking place in Battle Creek, July 3-7

Organizers of Battle Creek’s Field of Flight are labeling the July 3-7 festival at Battle Creek’s Festival Airport, as a once in a lifetime event.

This year’s event will bring together several military demonstrations, including the final A-10 Demonstration in Battle Creek, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the F-16 with the United States Air Force Thunderbirds, and more...plus some of the best Civilian Air Show acts in the country as well as some warbirds.

Fresh off of a Top 10 finish once again as one of the Best Air Shows in North America (according to USA Today 10 Best Voters), this year’s event promises to be one of the best ones yet.  Battle Creek’s Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Show is the nation’s largest combined air show & balloon festival, Michigan’s largest air show, Michigan’s largest balloon festival, and Battle Creek’s largest event. The event is recognized as the largest and longest annual running 4th of July air show in the country.

The 2024 event will feature the United States Air Force Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron in their six red, white, and blue painted F-16 Fighting Falcons. The United States Air Force Thunderbirds are a crowd favorite for Battle Creek with a storied history that includes hosting the team numerous times since the event began in 1980.

Also featured will be the United States Army Golden Knights in their first appearance here since 1997. The U.S. Army Golden Knights are the main demonstration team for the United States Army. Based out of the Home of the Airborne at Fort Liberty, North Carolina; the team performs at air shows around the world, showcasing the capabilities of the United States Army and the sport of parachuting. The Golden Knights themselves are actually made up of several expert teams and skilled professionals who all play a critical role in the Army’s success. This includes parachute teams, aircraft pilots, and even those behind-the-scenes handling jump logistics. They have competition teams, demonstration teams, exhibition teams, and more. The Demonstration team coming to Battle Creek will be jumping from a U.S. Army deHavilland C-147A (military version of the DHC-8) flown by the Aviation Detachment of the Golden Knights.

Other military demos include the highly recognizable United States Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II Demo Team. The “Warthog” has a lot of history in Battle Creek and they are going to be retired soon. This is the final season for the A-10 Demo Team and organizers are pairing it up with a P-47 Thunderbolt for a super rare Heritage Flight. Seeing the Thunderbolt II and Thunderbolt together is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The United States Navy will be present with two “Top Gun” demos. The first being the F/A-18F Super Hornet Rhino Demo Team from VFA-106 at NAS Oceana in their only Michigan appearance this year.

The F-35C Lightning II Demo Team from VFA-125 at NAS Lemoore, will be making their only Michigan appearance.

Besides the military demonstrations visitors will enjoy one of the best air show lineups in the nation featuring three highly sought after unlimited aerobatic performers in Rob Holland, Skip Stewart, and Bill Stein. Another feature will be formation aerobatics with Redline Airshows, Aerobatics & Skywriting with Nathan Hammond “GhostWriter,” as well as some other award winning acts, including the comedic Franklin’s Flying Circus.

There will also be a good warbird contingent scheduled this year including “Ace Maker Airshows” with the Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star, Planes of Fame’s P-38 Lightning “23 Skidoo,” and a P-47 Thunderbolt flown by Steven Hinton Jr.

Plus, there will be Firewalkers International Pyro including the Wall of Fire as well as one of the Nation’s largest Twilight & Night Air Shows.  

There will also be five days full of entertainment including:

• Daily Hot-Air Balloon Launches

• DreamBig, LLC’s F/A-18 Hornet “Top Gun” Cockpit Experience complete with photos

• David “The Bullet” Smith “The Human Cannonball” performing daily. He’s a world record holder and award winner.

• Skerbeck Entertainment Group Carnival (open July 3rd-6th)

• AirshowEntertainment Bouncin’ Binz Attractions on July 7th featuring Thunderbirds Rideable Go-Karts and many other fun attractions including:

• Field of Rock Concerts presented by FireKeepers Casino

• Balloon Illumes presented by KALSEE Credit Union (July 3 and July 6 at 8:45 p.m.)

• Two Fireworks Displays presented by ACE PYRO (July 4th and 6th at 10:30 p.m.)

• Kid’s Day Giveaways on Sunday, July 7th

• Best Air Show Food

• Arts & Crafts, Specialty Booths, Novelty Vendors and more

• Interactive Displays

• Battle Creek Half-Marathon & 5K

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