Large crowd enjoys rain-shortened Fort Wayne Air Show

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Organizers behind the Fort Wayne Air Show at the 122nd Fighter Wing got the crowd they were expecting.  Early reports estimated close to 50,000 people made their way to the base, even though rain was in the air, and shut down performances two hours early .

"Looks like everybody is having a good time," Stephanie Vite, who brought her two sons to the air show, said.  "Despite the rain, people are still staying here."

The large crowd brought smiles to those who work at the Air National Guard base.

"We are just so excited that so many people came out to the air show," Capt. Rebecca Metzger said.  "We really did have a fantastic time out there, and just the overwhelming support from the community, not only for the pre-planning, the sponsors, but also the attendance of the air show.  It was truly a great day, despite the rain."

Saturday's performances included all kinds of aircraft.

"We have the parachute Gold Knights here, and we have the F-22 Raptor here," Maj. Brian Frazier, the air show's director, said.  "We have helicopters, we have jet-powered school busses."

Frazier said an air show is what got him into aviation at a young age.

"I wanted to be a pilot at my first air show," he said.  "And I was five year old."

Many parents brought their kids to the show.  Some adults said they had always had an interest in aviation, while others knew their kids enjoyed it.

"I love airplanes," Fred Fueling, who brought his 10-year-old son, said.  "My son loves it.  We like being around it, and see some of the planes and support the military."

People at the air show could walk inside a C-5 and a C-130 Hercules.  They could also sit in the cockpit of a HH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.

Vite said her family lives near the airport, which is why her two sons have always been fascinated with planes.

"Let the boys sit in the cockpits and actually see the planes is really neat," she said.

Frazier also had heard positive feedback from attendees Saturday.

"I have been told by veteran air show goers that this is one of the better air shows that they have seen in a while," he said.  "It's right in your back yard, so come see it."

The air show continues Sunday, with the games opening at 9 a.m.  Performances are scheduled to begin at noon.  Click here to read more about the Sunday's schedule.