Fergus Falls airport hosts first airshow in more than 40 years

Fergus Falls Municipal Airport turned into an airshow venue June 27 as Red, White and Wings brought the area its first aerial show in more than four decades. The one-day event put the airport itself at the center of a rare summer spectacle, with families, aviation fans and casual spectators gathering around displays, stunt flying and other programming.

Gates opened at 9 a.m., and shuttle buses moved people from general parking at Life Church to the airport. The aerial show was scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., turning the afternoon into the main draw after a morning of arrivals, displays and ground activities. The event was advertised as free and open to the public, with VIP tickets available for some benefits, including on-site parking.

The flying lineup included the Red Baron and Kyle Franklin’s Deadstick, two acts that anchored the air portion of the day. Free airplane rides for children were offered through the Experimental Aircraft Association, with registration required, adding a hands-on element to an event that was built to be more than a quick flyover. Live music from Sidewinder and Billy Goat Scruff was also part of the schedule.

The Fergus Falls Chamber of Commerce described the 2026 airshow as a premier event with aerial and static displays, family-friendly entertainment, shuttle rides and parking at the Life Church lot. The official airshow description added food, drinks, demonstrations, music and stunt performances to the mix, reinforcing that Red, White and Wings was designed as a full-day gathering rather than a brief demonstration.

For Fergus Falls, the event gave the municipal airport a visible civic role beyond travel and hangars. A first airshow since the 1980s made the airport a destination in its own right and gave Otter Tail County a rare regional attraction tied directly to one of its public facilities.