MAY 3, 2024:
The entertainment lineup for the Let Freedom Fly International Airshow being held Memorial Day weekend (May 25-26, 2024) in Pierre continues to grow.
Planning Committee Co-Chair and City Commissioner Jamie Huizenga says they’ve added more military aircraft.
But, Huizenga says that’s not the only military aircraft recently added to the lineup.
Huizenga says if you think you’re going to watch the air show from your yard, you’re going to miss a lot of the acts. He says there’s a lot of information available on the lffairshow.org website.
Tickets for the air show can only be bought online. Admission tickets will NOT be sold at the actual event. Parking is free with a ticket purchase and children 12 and under are admitted free. There is a special rate for active-duty military personnel and veterans. Military ID and valid ticket will be required to enter.
Proceeds from the Let Freedom Fly International Airshow will be donated to the Capital Area United Way, which supports various local charities and initiatives.
MARCH 20, 2024:
Tickets go on sale tonight (March 20, 2024, at 11:59pm CT) for the Let Freedom Fly International Airshow being held Memorial Day weekend (May 25-26, 2024) in Pierre.
Planning Committee Co-Chair and City Commissioner Jamie Huizenga says ticket price will go up as the show dates get closer.
The air show was the idea of pilot, renowned airshow performer and Mustang Aviation owner Jim Peitz of Pierre. He says ticket sales are being done entirely online.
If you think you’re going to watch the air show from your yard, Peitz says you’re going to miss a lot of it.
For those wanting more information, Pietz recommends the lffairshow.org website.
Proceeds from the Let Freedom Fly International Airshow will be donated to the Capital Area United Way, which supports various local charities and initiatives.
Early bird ticket prices start at $25 for general admission, with special rates of $15 available for active-duty military personnel and veterans (Military ID and valid ticket will be required to enter). Parking is free with a ticket purchase and children 12 and under are free.
MARCH 11, 2024:
More additions have been made to the entertainment lineup for the Let Freedom Fly International Airshow being held in Pierre Memorial Day weekend (May 25-26, 2024).
Committee co-chair Jamie Huizenga says planes, pilots and helicopters are coming from all over the country.
Huizenga encourages people to check out the Let Freedom Fly International Air Show website, Facebook page and Instagram account to learn more about the performers, buy tickets and more.
Proceeds from the Let Freedom Fly International Airshow will be donated to the Capital Area United Way, which supports various local charities and initiatives.
FEBRUARY 24, 2024:
WWII airplanes from the Dakota Territory Air Museum in Minot, ND, will be part of the Let Freedom Fly International Airshow in Pierre Memorial Day weekend 2024.
Featured here is the award-winning P47 Razorback named “Bonnie”. Lovingly restored by AirCorps Aviation in Bemidji, MN and awarded the coveted Golden Wrench Award at Oshkosh 2023, this is the ONLY Republic-built, Razorback P-47D that is currently flying in the world today, and you can see it at the Let Freedom Fly International Airshow.
Thunderbird is one of the recognizable P-51 mustangs from the post war era. The cobalt blue P-51C NX5528N, most notably won the 1949 Bendix race piloted by Joe DeBona where it set the piston driven speed record at 470 mph. Thunderbird was finished with 48 coats of primers and the iconic gloss cobalt blue paint adorned with the Red Pegasus logo of Mobile Oil. Polished to a high shine, the paint job reportedly added 8 mph to the speed of the aircraft.
Thunderbird was owned by WWII Brigadier General, bomber pilot and academy award winner Jimmy Stewart. Jackie Cochran, the Speed Queen, also owned Thunderbird. Warren Pietsch has engaged AirCorps Aviation to restore his P-51C to honor this historic aircraft.
The Dakota Territory Air Museum tasked AirCorps to restore this iconic aircraft as well, and she is als an OSH Golden Wrench Award winner!
FEBRUARY 2, 2024:
More additions have been made to the entertainment lineup for the Let Freedom Fly International Air Show at Pierre Memorial Day weekend (May 25-26, 2024).
The air show was the idea of Pierre pilot, renowned airshow performer and Mustang Aviation owner Jim Peitz. He will perform in the show in his iconic P51D Mustang “Dakota Kid II” as well as his fan favorite aerobatic plane, an F33C Bonanza.
Other high caliber performers include:
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air race pilot and entertainer Vicky Benzing in a Boeing PT-17 Stearman,
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Matt Younkin showcasing the beauty and power of his twin-engine Beech 18,
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Bill Stein thrashing the sky in his Edge 540 aerobatic monoplane and
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the US Marine Corps with their MV-22 Osprey demo.
Additional military and civilian performers are yet to be announced.
In addition to the aerial performances, the airshow will feature one of the largest displays of vintage military aircraft ever seen in the region, both on the ground and in the air, providing a unique opportunity for attendees to witness the rich history of aviation.
Peitz says bringing together such a diverse and talented lineup of performers is a testament to the growing aviation culture in Pierre. He says this event will undoubtedly create lasting memories for everyone in attendance.
The Let Freedom Fly International Airshow is made possible through the generous support of the City of Pierre and numerous local businesses. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Pierre United Way, supporting various local charities and initiatives.
Ticket information for the Let Freedom Fly International Airshow will be posted soon on the official event website: https://lffairshow.org. Fans are also invited to follow the “LFFairshow” on Facebook and Instagram.
DECEMBER 13, 2023:
Conversations are happening behind the scenes as organizers progress with creating the lineup for the Let Freedom Fly International Air Show to be held at the Pierre Regional Airport over Memorial Day weekend next year (May 25-26, 2024).
The air show idea started with Mustang Aviation owner and pilot Jim Peitz.
Pierre City Commissioner Jamie Huizenga says Peitz is connecting with potential acts from all over the country.
Huizenga thinks the acts will tie in nicely with the Memorial Day holiday.
He says it should be a big event for the entire region.
Money made from the Let Freedom Fly International Air Show in Pierre next year will benefit local charities.
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NOVEMBER 27, 2023:
The lineup is starting to take shape for the Let Freedom Fly International Air Show to be held at the Pierre Regional Airport over Memorial Day weekend next year (May 25-26, 2024).
Pierre City Commissioner Jamie Huizenga is one of the members of the organizing committee.
The airshow idea started with Mustang Aviation owner and pilot Jim Peitz. Huizenga says Peitz is having conversations with other individuals and groups who may also perform at the air show.
No matter who it is performing, Huizenga says all of the entertainment will be excellent.
Money made from the Let Freedom Fly International Air Show in Pierre will benefit local charities.
More information about the air show will be released as details are worked out.
AUGUST 9, 2023:
The planning started in 2019 and after a four year delay, the Let Freedom Fly International Air Show will be held at the Pierre Regional Airport over Memorial Day weekend next year (May 25-26, 2024).
Pierre aviation business owner and pilot Jim Peitz says the availability of the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds determined the dates for the show.
He says conversations are being had with other individuals and groups who may also perform at the air show.
Peitz says it’s critical that the current runway project be finished before the air show.
Peitz says money made from the air show will benefit local charities.
More information about the Let Freedom Fly International Air Show will be released as details are worked out.
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