What A Day!
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025: Where Dreams Take Flight
This summer, I stepped into a world where the sky wasn’t the limit—it was the canvas. At EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025, held July 21–27 at Wittman Regional Airport in Wisconsin, I joined over 704,000 fellow aviation enthusiasts in what can only be described as the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration.
Organized by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), AirVenture is more than an airshow—it's a living, breathing tribute to innovation, history, and the human spirit of flight. Founded to support experimental and recreational aviation, the EAA has grown into a global community that celebrates all things airborne—from vintage warbirds to cutting-edge drones.
A Global Gathering in the Heart of Wisconsin
This year marked the 72nd edition of the fly-in convention, and it shattered records:
704,000 attendees from over 94 countries
10,000 aircraft on display and in flight
962 commercial exhibitors, showcasing everything from avionics to art
The sheer scale was breathtaking. I wandered through Boeing Plaza, where the Pratt & Whitney 747—the “Queen of the Sky”—towered above the crowds. I watched the Goodyear Blimps, Wingfoot One and Two, float gracefully overhead, making their first dual appearance in the company’s 100-year history. And when the sun dipped below the horizon, the night drone shows lit up the sky with synchronized brilliance.
Through My Lens: Art in Motion
As an artist, I came to AirVenture not just to witness aviation, but to capture its soul. The roar of engines, the shimmer of polished metal, the quiet reverence around historic aircraft—all of it became part of my visual story. I photographed moments that spoke of resilience, curiosity, and connection. The crowds—families, veterans, pilots, dreamers—formed a tapestry of humanity drawn together by flight.
More Than Planes: A Festival of Learning and Legacy
AirVenture isn’t just for pilots. It’s for anyone who’s ever looked up and wondered. From KidVenture activities to veterans’ salutes, from workshops and forums to fly-in theaters, the event offered something for every age and interest. I saw children building model planes, elders sharing stories of wartime missions, and young adults exploring careers in aerospace.
Why It Matters
EAA AirVenture is a celebration of motion, resilience, and imagination—values that resonate deeply with my creative mission. It honors the people behind the machines, the stories behind the spectacle. And it reminds us that flight isn’t just about physics—it’s about possibility.
