Who’s going this year? It’s next weekend, 18-19th. I am 100% definitely going and I’m taking my 7 year old in major hopes he falls in love with it like I did when I was his age, going with my grandfather, who was an engineer for Bell for 35+ years. We’ll be there Saturday and it would be cool to meet some of y’all crazies too. Forgive me in advance if a jet flies over and I start drooling uncontrollably. Jet engines just do something to me. I can’t explain it

Sounds like a good time with your boy

Set up on the lawn at Cabella’s NW corner. Great view, popular place. Get there early and tailgate.

I know a better spot Cast. Come on over....

one of these days. perfect weather

You sure it gonna be good weather next week?

You channeling Harold Taft?

Ain’t heard Taft in a while.

RIP.

We went a couple of years in a row about fifteen years ago when our son was young. The first year was great! The second year we got there to learn that they created some kind of barrier lengthwise all the way from end to end of the runway that was quite tall. It cost somewhat extra to get on the other side where you could actually see what was going. And it was sold out.

We went back across the highway to the hotel where we were staying and set up in lawn chairs on the lawn. There were a few others there that did the same thing. And it was actually a good place to see the show. And it was closer and more convenient to go to a restroom. That was on Saturday. Luckily our room was on the side facing the airport. When we got up on Sunday morning we could watch them practicing from our room for a while before checking out to go home.

What we learned the first year was that when we got ready to leave the parking area looked like a sea of vehicles. It was a little bit of a challenge to find ours. The second year we took a Garmin hand held GPS and marked a waypoint for the vehicle when we parked.

I always bought the tickets in advance to the private area. Really great view and it was worth it.

A bit of a change this year, no inbound traffic after 2pm, all lanes will be outbound after that! Schedule changes also, Blue Angels, F22's, jet teams fly early with Blue Angels around noon instead of last. Concert at end of day.....

I don’t know how long he’ll last so maybe all the good ones earlier will work out for the better.

If I can convince the wife, and if they still have it, I want him to ride in a helicopter. That was one of the neatest things I remember actually doing. A big percentage of people can’t say they’ve ridden in one in their life.

Also my wife’s aunt has a hook up on parking and seats so we’re good there. I do remember Papa hopping curbs in his Caddy when he took us. I always found that to be funny. It’s almost worse than NASCAR parking. Lol. Good idea on the gps. I’d use my phone gps if I needed to.

Now I know why there are so many dang planes flying while I'm trying to hunt out here.

I miss it being at carswell. Could watch from my back yard.

As always, I will watch from my driveway. Great seats!

Dang, it would be this weekend. Drags races at Ennis.

Well, he lasted all of 11 minutes. We know our true limits now. Without going into detail, that was rough. Absolute traumatizing terror was all my boy experienced and I feel like I’m to blame for wishing it on him. Trying not to beat myself up over it. I had to have a talk with him last night about jet engines and those weren’t trying to kill him, just showing off. That was a hard one to get through

That's tough, but don't beat yourself up. I have an autistic child, but we live next door to carswell afb. Loud jets are a daily thing.

Im thinking I should have set up at a distance with TexasLefty or you BIgBob. Up close and personal was NOT his thing. I started cheering, I turn around and he was losing his mind. I felt like a douche

Ear protection helps my son when things are too loud.

That is tough. I suggest finding a park somewhere close to an airport tp get used to the loud noises, Start a few months before the scheduled airshow and do it often. It took our neighbors grandson being exposed the noise and seeing the planes in the air about 2 months of weekends near the Abilene airport.

Orange ear plugs and noise cancelling headphones that work pretty freakin well. I use them when I mow. I think the fact that he felt everything like he did, and didn’t expect that, it was just over the top. He really liked the Shockwave truck that was set up pretty far away.

Ohhhhhhh well. I had a wish, based on my own selfish feelings and it didn’t work out like I’d hoped. Maybe he’ll take a liking to bass boats . . . . . or tinkering on stuff. That’s quiet enough. Now, I’ll probably have to be in the suppressor game if I ever want to take him shooting. I think I’m alright with that

They are all different. You'll find a groove!

Thanks BB, I appreciate the encouragement.