By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Deposits have been made and pilots have already made commitments to
perform at the 2024 Great Bend Airfest. Great Bend Municipal Airport Manager
Martin Miller mentioned the acts booked will be some of the top performers
across the country. Miller said compared to larger shows in other cities, the
Great Bend Airfest provides a better experience for spectators and performers.
"It'll be a smaller show because of where we are, but it's a better deal for people that come to the show because they can get up close," said Miller. "The pilots, basically everyone that flew in the last show, said they would love to come back because it's small and they can talk to people that come out to watch the show."
The last Airfest in 2021 had just over 9,000 spectators attend the three-day
event. The 2021 show cost approximately $185,000 to organize, while generating
$180,000 in sponsorships and admission.
"The big shows have big, corporate sponsors and they charge for parking," said Miller. "We're not doing that. Our business model has been the gate, who comes in to see it at a reasonable price and sponsors. We'll be gearing up."
Starting in 2012 with a plan to host an airshow every three years, 2024 will
mark the fifth Airfest in Great Bend.