The Wings Over North Georgia AirShow is Back and Better Than Ever

Rome’s annual air show, The Wings Over North Georgia AirShow returns to Richard Russell Regional Airport and will have spectacular, never before seen performances. The airshow will be on Oct. 15 and 16, and the parking gates open at 9 a.m.

John Cowman is the President and CEO of JLC AirShow Management located in Rome. His company hosts civilian and military airshow events.  

“This year alone, we got the U.S. Air Force A-10 demo team,” said Cowman. “We got the QYON team that’s coming, which is a civilian jet team. Our big thing that we’re doing this year is introducing the airshow racing series.”

Other teams in the lineup include B-25 Panchito, Jet Truck Show, Georgia State Patrol SWAT Helicopter Team ,and Dobbins ARB 94th Airlift Wing. Airshow racers and aerobatic performers Jive Kerby, Scott Farnsworth, Ken Rieder, Clemens Kuehlig, Buck Roetman , and Bob Freeman will compete in the AirShow Racing Competition. They will execute aerobatic expositions. 

“We have such a wide variety of aircraft at our shows,” said Cowman. “We pretty much reach everybody’s interest level from high-speed jets all the way down to the flip-flop guys. You know, air bagging guys.”

They have plenty of ticketing options to choose from , including the patio club, box seating, general admission , and many others. There are no discounts; however, the ticket prices are cheaper than in previous years.
           
            Drive-in tickets assign vehicles a 10’ by 20’ space with an adjacent 10’ by 20’ private viewing area for tailgating. Drive-in guests are permitted to bring their own chairs, tables, non-alcoholic beverages , and food. Descriptions of what comes with each ticket are provided on the Wings Over North Georgia website. Tickets are only available for purchase online before the event begins and they cannot be purchased on show days.

“The other interesting thing that we do here we haven’t done the last few years due to COVID-19 was we’ve created a drive-in format just like you used to be able to go to drive-in movies,” said Cowman. “You can come here and drive in, and unload your car, set up your tailgate area and watch the show from right there.”

In addition to the airshow, the Parade of Veterans Military Tribute will make a comeback. This parade is a crowd favorite that honors veterans and active duty soldiers in the U.S. Armed Forces. The parade will start around 3 p.m. on both days. Static displays, food and retail vendors, exhibitors, opening ceremonies and aerial performances will also be present. The airshow will start right after the opening performances.

“The air racing part of what we’re doing is brand new stuff for the airshow industry, so we’re pretty excited to present that for the first time ever here,” said Cowman.