Northwest Illinois Airshow 2024

Every real fan of airplanes will want to take advantage of visiting the Northwest Illinois Airshow. This year marks the 4th annual event at Albertus Airport in Freeport, happening on a Saturday in mid-September. You can catch biplane performances, paratroopers, aerobatics, and the most exciting — formation team.

Line-up

This year's airshow festival will impress attendees with heart-pounding performances, including the gravity-defying MIG-17 Aerobatics, JP Mellor/T-6 Aerobatics, and the highly awaited Trojan Phlyers-T-28 Formation Aerobatic Team.

The main stage will host performances by the singing duo Sweet Reminders, exclusive interviews with pilots, and appearances by other special guests. The event will kick off with the National Anthem, sung by the Freeport High School Choir.

All the performers are seasoned professionals and leaders in their respective fields. For instance, Susan Dacy is one of the few female pilots performing airshows in a biplane, and she's the only woman flying exhibition in the Super Stearman. Another standout is Galen Killam, boasting over 30 years of flying experience across a diverse range of aircraft, totaling more than 25 different models.

Airshow Timing & Tickets

Gates open at 10:30 am, and the show starts at 1:30 pm. Skipping the lines and buying your admission online is a convenient option. To do that, you can scan the QR code on the official website. Advance purchase tickets are $15, while tickets at the gate are $20. Kids 10 and under get in for free. Items you might want to bring: chairs, binoculars, sunscreen, earplugs. Please note that tickets are non-refundable due to weather or any other unforeseen circumstances.

Details

As for parking, you'll find parking lots only at Stephenson County Fairgrounds. Plus, there will be a free shuttle bus to the airport. The organizers also emphasize that drones are prohibited within a 5-mile (8 km) radius of the airport.