Look up! Fort Wayne Air Show this Labor Day weekend

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) Leading up to the Air Show this Labor Day weekend, planes took to the sky to advertise. If you looked up around 11:30 on Thursday, you probably saw "Air Show" being written in the clouds.

The Fort Wayne Air Show presented by the 122nd Fighter Wing, Fort Wayne Air National Guard Base Saturday and Sunday at the 122nd FW Air Guard Base. There are some events scheduled for Friday but planes will be taking to the sky on Saturday and Sunday.

Admission and parking are free for the weekend.

One of the highlights of the show will be the F-22 Raptor Team which landed in Fort Wayne on Thursday. The team will demonstrate their precision aerial maneuvers and the unique capabilities of the world's only operational fifth-generation fighter aircraft.

Fort Wayne has a direct connection to the F-22 Raptor aircraft. The F-22's Vehicle Management Systems, which are composed of 33 different modules such as pedals and cockpit switches, are manufactured at BAE Systems facilities in Fort Wayne.

Other performers include The B-25 DAV Flight Team, the Indy Boys and their Jet Powered School Bus, Oliver's SkyDancer, the Army Golden Knights and many more. There will also be many displays for attendees.

There will also be an open air country concert on Friday. Country music star Jason Michael Carroll will be performing at 8 p.m. Doors open for the concert at 6:30 p.m. Nobody will be permitted to the concert before 6:30 p.m.

For those worried about the remnants of Issac drowning out the Air Show, the Fort Wayne Air Show web site says the show will go on rain or shine:

It takes more than a few drops of rain to stop the Fort Wayne Air Show! The air show will take place – rain or shine both Saturday and Sunday. Air show performers have high, low and flat routines to adapt to varying weather conditions. Schedules may be altered or delayed for periods of time if heavy rainfall occurs. All display aircraft, concessions and exhibits will be open regardless of weather.

The schedule for the show is as follows:

Friday, August 31, 2012

• VIP Hour at Base Club (Invitation Only)
• Shigs-In-Pit Barbeque Dinner – 500 tickets available $40.00
• Open Air Country Concert & Night Pyrobatic Air Show Performance - $10.00

Saturday, September 1, 2012

• Morning 5k & 10k Race - $25
• Gates Open: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Air Show Performance 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Evening: “Top Gun” – gathering at Club Soda, downtown Fort Wayne

Sunday, September 2, 2012

• "Sensory Hour" 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
• Gates Open 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Air Show Performance 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

The Fort Wayne Air show also has a list of items attendees can and cannot bring:

What to Bring

• Sunscreen
• Camera
• Comfortable shoes
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Lawn chair or folding chair
• Blanket
• Small, hand-held umbrella (optional)
• Ear plugs (optional)
• Cash  - required for all concession purchases
• ATMs are available throughout the event

What Not to Bring

• Coolers (Small coolers for life-saving medicines permitted)
• Loose ice
• Cans
• Glass
• Alcohol
• Pets (Certified service animals permitted)
• Weapons of any kind
• Tents
• Awnings
• Barbecues or cooking equipment
• Large or beach umbrellas

For all the event info and full list of performers and displays, check out the Fort Wayne Air Show web site.