I have to admit that it’s been a couple of years since I’ve ventured to Burke Lakefront Airport for the Cleveland National Air Show.
I’d like to say my memories drift back to images of the majestic aircraft soaring through the sky or venturing inside one of those gigantic military transport planes with a cargo bay about as wide as a mall concourse.
For, you see, the mall concourse is at least air conditioned.
It seems every time I have ever attended the air show, it has been a scorcher. And I mean a your-Crocs-will-melt-into-the-pavement scorcher.
But all good things come at a price and I’m not just talking about the price of admission — $21 for adults and $14 for children ages 6-11.
This year’s show promises to be extra special as the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels are making a return to show off their crazy skills over the Cleveland skyline.
The air show runs Saturday through Monday with numerous planes and aircraft ready for tours from a U.S. Coast Guard MH-65C Helicopter to the U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules to U.S. Army UH-60 Blackhawk to a Canadian CF-18 Hornet.
The Shockwave Jet Truck with its triple jet engines will scream down the runway at 300-plus mph as it races an airplane.
The Mad Bomber will keep things exciting with ground-shaking simulated bombing runs leaving behind a wall of fire.
Making its first appearance at the air show will be the WWII B-25 Mitchell Bomber “Georgie’s Gal” that has been restored by the Liberty Aviation Museum in Port Clinton.
There will even be model aircraft in the air and perhaps even a few drones hovering overhead.
It can all be a bit overwhelming for younger visitors with aircraft as far as the eye can see on the ground and a constant roaring from above.
The U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team demonstrating its precision landing skills will offer a nice diversion.
But the flight of the original Batcopter from the 1960s Batman TV show along with the Batmobile will be sure to bring a smile to dear ol’ Dad’s face and offer a bonding moment with the superhero-loving kids.
I have always been amazed by the number of families who have picnics in the parks around the lakefront airport during the show to catch a free glimpse of the impressive aircraft flying overhead.
And with the Indians in town for a weekend series with the Marlins and the start of a homestand with the Astros there will likely be a fair number of eyeballs at the ol’ stadium looking skyward, too.
But if you really want the up-close-chatter-your teeth experience, buy a ticket and a bottle of suntan lotion and some fireproof Crocs.