Canadian Snowbirds jet team set to headline annual show at Arnold Palmer airport

Dave Bulebosh gets a front-row seat to the Shop ’n Save Westmoreland International Airshow just by stepping into his yard.

With his home being within a mile of Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity, he has had people flock to his neighborhood in past years to get a closer look at the aircraft, sometimes blocking the road with their cars and lawn chairs.

“Normally, we have a fairly large crowd here,” Bulebosh said.

This year, the roads surrounding the airport will be closed to nonresidents as the 100th anniversary of the first air show held in the area is expected to draw thousands of people to the airport grounds and adjacent neighborhoods Saturday and Sunday.

With their nine Canadair CT-114 Tutors, the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds jet team will be headlining the show.

Westmoreland County Airport Authority Executive Director Gabe Monzo said the air show is not held as a moneymaker but to promote the airport and military recruitment and to give back to attendees.

“This is an event for the community,” Monzo said.

The aerial lineup for the two-day event includes an F-16 Viper Demo Team; the Class of 45, with a formation flight to honor service personnel who flew specific World War II aircraft; Jerry Conley’s DH-115 “Vampire,” an aircraft that developed as the world’s first single engine jet fighter; Erik Edgren and the “T-Clips;” Patrick McAlee with his aerobatics and the West Point Parachute Team.

“We have had many of these performers here before, and they’re very good,” airport authority grants director Dwayne Pickels said.

Despite being an air show, the event’s attractions are not only in the sky.

“The Spirit of Freedom” — an airplane that holds an exhibit commemorating the Berlin Airlift from the late 1940s — will be open to the public for tours, and race cars including the championship-winning NASCAR Cup Series No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will be present for an up-close look. There will be a children’s area with a bounce house and a fish pond.

The air show typically is held rain or shine, but, if canceled, tickets will be valid for the next air show.

Tickets can be purchased at Shop ‘n Save supermarkets for $14 through Sunday and are available for purchase at the airport for $20. Gates will open at 9 a.m. both days.

For details on parking and other information, visit www.westmorelandcountyairshow.com.