Both the United States Air Force Thunderbirds and the Canadian Forces Snowbirds will highlight the 42nd Annual California International Airshow in Salinas on October 7-8, 2023. This will be the first time in 16 years that the Salinas Airshow has been selected to host two military jet teams.
Karen Curtis, President of the Airshow said “We are excited to be selected to host these two “world class” teams at the same airshow. It is a tribute to the quality of our organization, our volunteers and sponsors that help make the California International Airshow one of the best in the Country”.
In addition to the two military jet teams, the airshow in 2023 will host again the popular Red Bull Air Force Team, World Aerobatic Champion Michael Goulian in his Extra 300, and local favorite Vicky Benzing in her Boeing Stearman. Other Military and civilian performers and statics will be announced in the future on the CIA website www.salinasairshow.com
The California International Airshow is an all-volunteer 501 © 3 non-profit organization that produces the airshow at Salinas Airport and then turns the net proceeds over to charity. Over $8.5 million has been raised for local charities since the inception in 1981.
This Friday night the gates will open at 5PM and at 5:30PM the USAF F35 will “scream across
the sunset” to open what promises to be an incredible evening at Mavericks!
Maverick’s Lounge is the newest and most unique culinary event to take place on the Central
Coast. There is nothing like it anywhere and it is the kick-off event to this year’s 41 st anniversary
of the California International Airshow.
Gifted Chefs from the best restaurants and catering establishments in the area bring forth their
delectable samplings of Baker’s Bacon…
Distilleries, breweries, and wineries offer tastings of their most unique spirits and brews…
AND THE FUN DOESN’T STOP THERE…
Enjoy a private evening airshow featuring the United States Air Force F-35, the Aftershock Jet
Fire Truck, Monster Trucks, a Fireworks Extravaganza, and the Wall of Fire! After that mingle
with the air show performers. They will all be there for this magnificent evening to see how
Salinas kicks off a fantastic weekend of flight and entertainment.
Dancing will round out this spectacular evening of amazing food, drinks and air show
performances. Gates open at 5PM so come early…. The USAF F 35 will perform at 5:30PM as a
spectacular kickoff!
Don’t miss this Friday Night– Tickets can be purchased online at www.salinasairshow.com or
at the Air Show office this week at 240 Mortensen Ave. at Salinas Airport.
BE THERE!
It’s Air Show Week! Are you excited? Our volunteers, sponsors, and performers sure are.
Volunteer crews are already starting to set up Salinas Airport for huge crowds this weekend.
Check out the photos of the progress we are making.
Because we expect huge crowds this weekend, come out early to spend a great day of aviation,
education and entertainment. Gates open at 9AM both Saturday and Sunday and the flying will
start approximately 11:30AM. If you haven’t got your tickets yet there is still time to buy your
advanced discount tickets by Friday at 5 PM. Tickets will also be available at the gate on
Saturday and Sunday.
The Board of Directors of the California International Airshow are excited to announce a new
addition to our Airshow Oct 8-9, 2022.
For the first time at Salinas… The Red Bull Air Force Team! The Red Bull Air Force Team is
“world renown” for their high energy, extreme aerobatics, led by Kirby Chambliss flying the
Red Bull Extra 300 who is a “world champion” aerobatic performer and air race pilot.
In addition, the air show act that defies gravity… The Red Bull Helicopter flown by Aaron Fitzgerald
that actually fly’s upside down! You will be amazed to see this unique performance.
And finally, rounding out the Red Bull Air Force Team are the World’s most elite Skydive
team… The Red Bull Skydive Jumpers specialize in highly coordinated aerial jump
demonstrations and continually push the limits of human flight.
Don’t miss the Red Bull Air Force at the California International Airshow on Saturday and
Sunday, Oct 8-9 at Salinas Airport. Get discount tickets in advance now at
www.salinasairshow.com
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds have announced that their 2022 air demonstration season is
officially canceled, and they will not be performing at the three air shows in California this
October. This includes the Pacific Airshow in Huntington Beach, the California International
Airshow in Salinas, and the Central Coast Air Fest in Santa Maria.
Snowbird Public Affairs Officer, Capt. Gabriel Ferris expressed the team’s disappointment in this
decision. “The air demonstration season is being canceled due to an incident that one of the
Snowbird CT-114 tutor aircraft experienced in British Columbia in August,” said Capt. Ferris.
The Directorate of Flight Safety (DFS) investigation into the incident is on-going by a team of
experts. A risk analysis for the CT-114 Tutor Fleet will be detailed and thorough to assure the
fleet will return to safe flying operations.
Harry Wardwell, Executive Director of the California International Airshow expressed his
disappointment on this announcement from Canada. “On behalf of our Board of Directors,
volunteers, and air show fans from the Central Coast we will miss hosting the Canadian
Snowbirds at our 41 st annual California International Airshow on October 8-9, 2022. We have
been fortunate to host the Canadian Forces Snowbirds 7 times over our 40-year history and
they are always a crowd favorite. We wish the Snowbirds all the best and look forward to
hosting them in the future.” Our 41 st annual show will showcase the USAF F-35 A Fighter Jet,
some of the best civilian air show performers from North America, ground acts like the
Aftershock Jet Fire Truck, Monster Trucks, and the incredible “Wall of Fire.” There also will be
dozens of displays and exhibits that will make this air show a great educational and entertaining
experience for families to enjoy.
Despite this turn of events, we have better, EXCITING NEWS– The California International
Airshow is pleased to announce for the first time at Salinas, the RED BULL AIR FORCE will
perform. The Red Bull Air Force are “World Renown” for their high energy team aerobatics.
The Red Bull Air Force is a team assembled from the most accomplished and experienced
aviation experts on the planet. Led by Kirby Chambliss who is a “World Champion” aerobatic
performer and air race pilot, along with the Red Bull Helicopter that does “back flips!” It’s a
Euro copter BO-105 CBS 4 twin engine helicopter doing high energy aerobatics. And then… The
World’s most elite skydive team. They specialize in highly coordinated aerial jump
demonstrations and continually push the limits of human flight.
The California International Airshow is an all-volunteer 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that
has raised over $8.5 million for local charities since its inception in 1981. For more information
or to purchase tickets go to www.salinasairshow.com or phone (831) 754-1983.
The Board of Directors of the California International Airshow is excited to announce two new additions to our 2022 air show line up:
Dueling Monster Trucks! “Playing for Keeps” takes on “Wicked Strong” in an all -out exciting Monster Truck demonstration. WGAS Motorsports will bring out the best in exciting Monster Truck spills and thrills in front of Air Show fans. You won’t want to miss these “car crushing” Monster Trucks at this year’s airshow Oct 8-9, 2022 at Salinas Airport.
Feel the Heat!! BOOM!! Hear the explosion!! A 1000’ instant explosion fills the sky right at air show center. Choreographed to a high -speed performance of the United States Air Force F35 A, you will feel and hear the bombs, the hot strafe runs and finally the “Wall of Fire”. Performed by Firewalkers International Pyro Team who have entertained air show fans all over the country for many years. Air Show President Karen Curtis said, “We are excited to bring back this exhilarating performance to our 2022 air show. It is always a fan favorite so get your cameras ready!”
The California International Airshow is excited to announce our newest addition for our 41st annual event Oct 8-9, 2022. For the first time at Salinas, See AFTERSHOCK JET FIRE TRUCK. This is a 1940 Ford Fire Truck which boasts twin Rolls Royce Bristol Viper Jet Engines totaling over 24,000 horsepower and holds the Guinness record for Fire Trucks at an astonishing 407 MPH!. You won’t want to miss this exciting new addition to the California International Airshow at Salinas Airport in October!
The California International Airshow is deeply saddened to report the passing of Air Show performer Chris Darnell, of the Shockwave Jet Truck Team. The Board of Directors and Volunteers of the California International Airshow offers its most sincere condolences to the entire Darnell family.
Shockwave has performed at the California International Airshow numerous times, and the Salinas Airshow team was looking forward to Chris’s return in October.
Chris was among the most popular performers on the air show circuit, who had truly captured the attention, hearts, and friendships of so many. He will be forever missed.
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
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