Airshow tailgate party

Major aviation events and airshows were canceled one by one in 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic continued to ravage the world, but organizers of the Wings Over North Georgia Air Show, scheduled for October 24 and 25, figured out a way to host a safe, socially distant airshow at Richard B. Russel Regional Airport – J. H. Towers Field in Rome, Georgia.

Here’s how it will work: A limited number of drive-in tickets are being sold in advance (none will be sold on site) per vehicle that will assign a 10-by-20-foot parking area with another space the same size right beside it for private tailgating. Two types of spaces are available, front row ($300 per day) and general ($130 per day). The front-row spots will provide an extra 100 square feet of space. You can bring your own chairs, food, and drinks (nonalcoholic) or buy food at the airshow. Just make sure to bring all of the tailgating items to make your day fun and comfortable because the only time you will be able to walk from your designated space is to purchase food or go to one of the portable restrooms on the field.

If you live beyond driving distance and want to fly, consider flying to the area and renting a car for the weekend, but be sure to buy a parking ticket in advance.

With your family and tailgating supplies in hand, you can kick back and enjoy performances by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and A–10 Thunderbolt II Demonstration teams, the U.S. Army Golden Knights elite skydivers, the U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight Team, Scott Farnsworth and the Dash Aerosports Racing Team, Michael Goulian, Matt Younkin, Buck Roetman, Jerry “Jive” Kerby T–28 Mad Dog, Redline Airshows, the TigerFlight Foundation Demo team, and the North American B–25 Mitchell bomber Panchito.