The California international Airshow is thrilled to announce that tickets are now on sale for our 41st annual air show set for October 8-9, 2022. You won’t want to miss the return of the Canadian Snowbirds for their first appearance at Salinas in 11 years. In addition, this year’s air show will be headlined by the USAF F-35A Lightning II Fighter Jet.
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds fly nine (9) CT-114 Tutor jets in formation and will even make a special twilight appearance on Friday Night if you attend our special Maverick’s Lounge event on October 7th. In addition to the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and the Air Force F-35A, you will be thrilled by Shockwave, a triple Jet engine semi-truck who will race down the runway at Salinas.
The Salinas air show will also host some of America’s best civilian performers all pushing the envelope with the most advanced aerobatic aircraft. Jon Melby is back in his high energy Pitts and Brad Wursten flying his MXS-R. Plus, Salinas’s own Eric Tucker who will entertain his “hometown fans” with great comedy aerobatics.
And you will not want to miss Ukrainian born, Anna Serbinenko flying Sky Dancer, a Super decathlon with precision aerobatics.
The Airshow gates will open both Saturday and Sunday, October 8-9, 2022 at 9AM with flying starting approximately 11AM. There will be numerous educational exhibits and display for families to come out and enjoy a full day of entertainment, Plus the popular Kid’s Zone.
The California International airshow is an all-volunteer non-profit organization which produces the show each year that benefits local charities.
Get your advance tickets early and SAVE!
The 40th Annual California International Airshow was an overwhelming success on Oct 30-31, 2021. The USAF Thunderbirds, the Air Force F-35 demo, the Navy’s F-35 demo and a full line up some of the best civilian Air Show performers from all over the United States thrilled audiences over our two- day event. In addition, ground displays like the Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation’ Cherry’s Jubilee Revival, the Chevron STEM exhibit brought a new element to our special 40th anniversary Airshow. Airshow fans were also thrilled and got their “need for speed” from a World Class Dragster demonstration plus the Smoke N Thunder jet truck.
The all-volunteer non-profit organization benefited many organizations in the Community. The mission of the CIA is to produce a “world class” airshow for our community with all-volunteers and turn the proceeds over to local charities. The 2021 Airshow passed on over $101,000 to local charities such as Rancho Cielo, Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation, Boys and Girls Club of Monterey County, Dorothy’s Place, Sun Street Center, SPCA of Monterey County, Hartnell College Foundation, Alliance on Aging, CASA of Monterey County, Ariel Theatre, and the Bob Hoover Academy.
In addition, several service clubs from the area participated at the airshow and were given a donation for their assistance in parking cars, selling tickets, sodas and hot dogs and even picking up garbage. The Airshow would not be successful without the support of hundreds of dedicated volunteers, our donors and sponsors and the very generous business community.
The Board of Directors of the California International Airshow has already started to plan the 41st annual airshow which will be held at Salinas Airport on October 7-8, 2023, featuring the USAF Thunderbirds.
For more information, please call the Airshow office at (831) 754-1983 or email us at info@salinasairshow.com.
California International Airshow P.O. Box 1448 Salinas, CA 93902 www.salinasairshow.com
Bill and Jennifer Laughton
2021 Airshow Volunteers of the Year
Bill and Jennifer Laughton, long time Airshow Volunteers were recognized as the recipient of the Alice B. Beck Memorial California International Airshow Volunteer of the Year Award for 2021. Karen Curtis, 2021 Airshow President presented the prestigious award to Bill and Jennifer at the annual Airshow Committee Chair meeting.
Bill and Jennifer have been on the Concessions Committee for many years and Bill served two terms as Concessions Director. As Concession Leaders, they have had the responsibility of organizing volunteers, vendors, concessionaires, and the overall concession team of volunteers. Bill and Jennifer unselfishly give hundreds of hours each year to insure the Airshow Concessions are successful andprofitable to help the Airshow raise money for local charities.
The Board of Directors of the California International Airshow thank Bill and Jennifer for their incredible contribution each year.
Salinas, California – The Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation is excited to present a new version of a well-loved Central Coast automotive event, October 30th & 31st during the 2021 California International Airshow at Salinas Municipal Airport! Cherry’s Jubilee Revival is a 2-day show ‘n shine event and features a unique opportunity for participants to showcase and “cruise” their classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles on the airport’s flight line in front of thousands of airshow spectators.
“We are delighted to breathe life back into this legendary motorsports event, and are so grateful to partner with an incredible community-based organization like the California International Airshow,” says Jeff Wardwell, Chief Executive Officer of the SVMH Foundation, “With both organizations focused on giving back to the community, it is a perfect fit.”
“The California International Airshow is proud to partner with the SVMH Foundation to bring Cherry’s Jubilee Revival to our 40th Anniversary show” said Karen Curtis, President of the Airshow. “What a tremendous opportunity for air show fans and classic car enthusiasts to come together on one special weekend. This October celebrate your need for speed watching the USAF Thunderbirds perform and enjoy hundreds of classic cars on display.”
Cherry’s Jubilee was launched in 1993 as a weeklong motorsports festival and had a successful 21 year run until its retirement in 2013. Over those 21 years, Cherry’s Jubilee raised over $6 million and supported equipment and services throughout Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System including the LM Tynan Emergency Department, Oncology Services, Nuclear Medicine, and the Norman P. Andresen, MD Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Proceeds from this special engagement will support the Foundation’s Healthy Kids / CMN Hospitals Fund, helping to provide pediatric equipment and services for children across the tri-county area. One of the hallmarks of the local CMN Hospitals Program is the Medical Needs Granting Program which funds medically beneficial equipment and services for individual local children that are not otherwise covered by insurance. From equestrian therapy for kids on the Autism Spectrum, to medical grade hospital beds for children with terminal illnesses, these grants make an immediate and tangible impact for local kids and their families.
More information on Cherry’s Jubilee Revival and our local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals program are available on the Foundation’s website at: www.svmhfoundation.org/cherrys
More information on the California International Airshow visit: www.salinasairshow.com
About Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation
Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation helps the Salinas Valley community create a great hospital and health system. Philanthropic support helps to advance state-of-the-art healthcare by supporting our hospital staff and doctors with what’s truly needed to care for people and create a healthier future for all. The Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation is fortunate to have a dedicated, diverse, and engaged Board of Governors who care deeply about the health of our community. Working side by side with our Foundation staff, the doctors, nurses, administrators, business owners, and community leaders who make up our board help set funding priorities, organize events, and engage our community to philanthropically support the mission of Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System.
About Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System:
Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System (SVMHS) is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the region through an integrated network of health care initiatives, services and facilities. In addition to an acute care, public district hospital licensed for 263 beds, the system includes Salinas Valley Medical Clinic, a multi-location clinic expanding access to primary and specialty care, and offers 13 urgent care locations. SVMHS is one of the area’s largest employers with a staff of more than 2000, and is a leader in providing nationally recognized quality care. Collaboration is an important operating principle for SVMHS in such key areas as our Level III NICU which is operated in a joint venture with Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford; The Madison Clinic for Pediatric Diabetes, partnership with UCSF; Aspire Health Plan, Monterey County’s only Medicare Advantage program; Community Health Innovations and Blue Zones Project Monterey County, building a community where people live longer and live healthier. For more, visit svmh.com.
About the California International Airshow:
The California International Airshow was founded in 1981 as a 501 (c) 3 non -profit organization to produce an annual airshow at Salinas Airport with over 600 volunteers for 40,000-50,000 spectators. Since our inception over $8.5 million has been raised for local charities. Truly an international aviation event, the CIA has hosted the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, The British Red Arrows, The Soviet MIG tour, as well as the US Navy Blue Angels and the USAF Thunderbirds. The Airshow generates over $4.4 million in direct and not direct economic impact to the Salinas Airport, the City of Salinas, and the County of Monterey each year. The California International Airshow will continue its mission to produce a “World Class” aviation event at Salinas Airport for family entertainment and education while raising money for local charities.
For more, visit www.salinasairshow.com
July 9, 2021 – Salinas, CA – The California International Airshow announced today that it has partnered with Chevron and will be bringing the Chevron STEM Zone to the 40th anniversary Airshow on Oct 30-31, 2021.
The Chevron STEM Zone is an interactive mobile space for students, teachers and parents to learn how science, technology, engineering and math concepts are connected to everyday life.
The California International Airshow is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that has been producing a “world class” airshow since 1981, and has donated over $ 8.5 million to local charities. “We are proud to partner with Chevron and bring this incredible educational addition to our 40th anniversary airshow on Halloween weekend”, said Airshow Board President, Karen Curtis. “Our goal is to continue the tradition to make our family-oriented event each year an entertaining and educational event for all ages who come from all over Northern California”.
The Chevron STEM Zone is built to be a hands-on environment, like a discovery museum, and it is designed to inspire students to pursue STEM careers. The STEM Zone features learning stations, or exhibits, which bring excitement and engagement to science, technology, engineering, and math by showing their real-world applications, and creating awareness of STEM in everyday life.
Andrea Bailey, Public Affairs Representative for Chevron in Monterey County said “Our Chevron STEM Zone at the California International Airshow will give the students on the Central Coast a real opportunity to see how human energy enables human progress and innovation. We are excited to partner with the California International Airshow”. For more information on the Chevron STEM Zone, visit www.chevron.com/stemzone.
For more information email info@salinasairshow.com
June 4, 2021 – Celebrate the Kick-off of our 40th anniversary of the California International Airshow on Friday Night, October 29th, 2021 at Maverick’s Lounge. Enjoy a night club atmosphere of the “Danger Zone Bar” at Maverick’s Lounge in our famous President’s Tent. Enjoy Bacon, Bourbon, and Brew, Wine Tasting, great food featuring Baker’s Bacon and music and dancing. PLUS meet the airshow performers, celebrate your “need for speed” in exotic cars, see a world champion Dragster demonstration, Monster Trucks, and experience an Airshow Teaser and Fireworks demonstration. All this on Friday night, Oct 29, 2021 at Airshow Center from 5PM to 10:30PM.
Join in the celebration and get your tickets now. They are limited.
May 16, 2021 — You will want to keep an eye on the sky when the United States Air Force Thunderbirds perform at the California International Airshow, along with other outstanding aviators the weekend of October 30th and 31st, and you can get your tickets Monday, May 17th, with early bird discounts!
“We are thrilled to present our 40th annual show featuring the world-famous USAF Thunderbirds,” said Executive Director, Harry Wardwell. “The 2021 show also features Greg Colyer in his Ace Maker T-33, Vicky Benzing in her Boeing Stearman, Chuck Coleman in his high energy Extra 300, Tom Larkin in his Mini Jet, the Smoke n’ Thunder Jet Truck, and to “Celebrate the Need for Speed”, this year’s show will include World Champion Drag Racer, Brendan Murry, who will be performing for the first time at our airshow!
And back for the young, and young at heart, Monster Trucks will be back! See the high-energy action up close with a battle between “Enforcer” and Play’n for Keeps, “Survivor” will be on site as well!
The President’s Club package is the ultimate VIP way to enjoy the airshow with flight line seating and a fully catered, all-inclusive experience. The package includes 6 tickets per day and parking passes.
Flight Line Villa tickets offer a family-friendly way to watch the show with discounted early bird pricing at $40 for adults, $35 for children 12-6 years old, and children under 6 are free. The venue includes a tent for shade and an open patio for frontline seating, plus food and beverages are available for purchase. Box seats that include admission, and general admission tickets are also available.
A full menu of options with early bird pricing for tickets, will be available through the Airshow’s website on Monday, May 17th. Get your tickets early, so you will have the best view of a spectacular show at the best price!
The Airshow will be held on October 30th & 31st the Salinas Airport. For more information, visit the other pages in the website. The California International Airshow has provided outstanding entertainment on the Central Coast and has raised and distributed over $8 million dollars to local charities.
April 14, 2021 – The Board of Directors of the California International Airshow is excited to announce that our 40th Anniversary of the California International Airshow will be held Halloween weekend, Oct 30-31, 2021 at the Salinas Airport, headlined by the U.S.A.F Thunderbirds.
Airshow President, Karen Curtis announced the great news to our Volunteers and Community that we would be bringing back this tremendous event in 2021 after having to cancel the show last summer due to the COVID pandemic.
“2020 was a tough year for all of us, and we look forward to a healthier 2021,” Curtis said. “The Airshow should be one of the highlights later this year as we again produce a “world class” airshow and raise money for local charities.” The California International Airshow has raised over $8.5 million for local charities since its inception in 1981.
The Salinas Airshow has hosted “World Class” military and civilian airshow performers over the past 40 years. Each year, volunteers come together to produce the family-oriented event and turn all the proceeds over to local charities.
May, 7, 2020 – Area residents (including Watsonville, Salinas, Monterey and King City) should turn their eyes skyward on the afternoon of Saturday, May 9 to witness an aerial tribute to the many people who have given to their community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lightning Formation Airshows, with support from Watsonville Airport and in conjunction with the California International Airshow Salinas, will fly over the region and draw commemorative hearts over selected sites along the route. This is meant to show thanks and to recognize first responders (Medical staff, Firefighters, Law Enforcement, and Paramedics) and all essential workers, including those supporting grocery stores, Farm workers, educational institutions, restaurants, utility services and countless others. “We also share our compassion with those in our community with loved ones who are sick or have been tragically lost to this disease,” says Mercedes Eulitt, Lightning Formation Airshows wingman and Watsonville resident.
Lightning Formation Airshows is a professional airshow team of eight pilots and planes flying in close formation. They will feature aerial smoke to make them highly visible as they overfly selected locations and circle over the hospital sites. The aircraft will be low enough to be easily photographed, while remaining compliant with all FAA regulations. Four of the pilots are area locals and are based at the Watsonville and King City airports.
The route illustrated on the accompanying map provides estimated times over each point for the flight, including hearts over Natividad Medical Center, Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital, Mee memorial hospital, Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, and Dominican Hospital.
“Everyone is invited to find the location and time where the overflight is closest to them,” said Scott Randolph, Lightning Formation Airshows wingman and Aptos resident. “Join us in a safe, socially-distant thanks to our community by looking up and waving as we fly over.”
Lightning Formation Airshows joins others in the aviation community around the country who have honored essential workers and communities through aerial demonstration. Together we can show support for all those impacted, renew our energy, and look forward to post-COVID-19 life.
Contact: info@lightningairshows.com
Website: www.lightningairshows.com
April 3, 2020 – SALINAS, CA On April 2, 2020 at 4:15pm the all volunteer Board of Directors of the California International Airshow has made the difficult decision to cancel the 40th Anniversary show scheduled for June 5, 6 and 7, 2020, due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic. “The safety of our Airshow supporters, volunteers, and the community is a priority and, sadly, it has now become apparent we will not be able to proceed,” said Karen Curtis board president.
The Board has been closely following the guidelines for our local, state and national leaders very carefully and wanted to remain hopeful the spread of the virus would start to diminish in ample time for our annual charitable event. The goal was to give our community an event to look forward to as this crisis subsided, but even more so, as an avenue to push charitable dollars when they are most needed here at home.
The mission each year of the Airshow is to stage a safe, family-oriented event for the Community, showcasing the World’s best military and civilian air show performers, while raising over $8.5 million for local charities since our inception in 1981. The USAF Thunderbirds were set to perform at this year’s show, along with many other exceptional acts. “While we are saddened to have to cancel our 40th Anniversary show, the Airshow will continue to work with the military and civilian performers in the future to bring back this popular allvolunteer community event,” said Curtis.
The Air Show Board of Directors is grateful all of the Air Show Sponsors, President’s Club Members, Volunteers, and the thousands of air show spectators who attend our annual charitable event. “We wish everyone and their families the very best in health during thisNational crisis,” said Curtis.
All tickets purchased on-line for our 2020 show will be automatically refunded by the on-line ticket service provider. Please watch our website for further updates,
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