Canadian Forces Snowbirds
A world-renowned air team with over 35 years of history, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds travel across North America, demonstrating the professionalism of the Canadian Forces with their awe-inspiring air show. With talented pilots flying 9 jets in close formation, the Snowbirds boast more than 50 different formations in addition to thrilling solo passes.
The Evansville Freedom Festival is proud to welcome the Canadian Forces Snowbirds for their first ever performance in the Evansville Freedom Festival.
June 28 - July 1 & July 4, 2007
Gene Soucy and Teresa Stokes
An exciting and talented pair of performers, pilot Gene Soucy and wingwalker Teresa Stokes have been perfecting their crowd-pleasing show since 1988, when Teresa began wingwalking with Gene. The Evansville Freedom Festival is proud to welcome Stokes, the world’s most experienced wingwalker, and Soucy, three-time US National Aerobatic Champion to the 2007 Thunder Air Show.
Crowds can look forward to daring wingwalking acts—if they’re lucky, they might even see Stokes perform a headstand in the sky!—and Soucy’s solo performance in his ShowCat biplane.
Oregon Aero Skydancer
This two-person aerobatic and skywriting team has logged nearly 20,000 combined flying hours, and has put those hours to good use forming a repertoire of skilled skywriting, entertaining aerobatics, and nighttime pyrobatics sure to wow the crowd. The Evansville Freedom Festival is proud to welcome Steve Oliver and Suzanne Asbury-Oliver to its 2007 Thunder Air Show.
Canadian Forces CF-18 Hornet
The CF-18 Hornet, brought to the 2007 Evansville Freedom Festival courtesy of the Canadian Forces, has an extensive combat history. Used primarily in the Gulf War, the CF-18s is based on the well-known American F/A-18 Hornet.
The Freedom Festival is proud to welcome this majestic fighter jet and its crew to its 2007 festivities.
Golden Knights United States Army Parachute Team
Now in their 45th year of entertaining crowds with their amazing aerial skills, the men and women of the Golden Knights continually demonstrate why they are considered the world’s best parachute team.
Performing as much as 12,000 feet in the air and rocketing toward earth at 120 miles per hour, the Golden Knights are proudly welcomed back to the 2007 Evansville Freedom Festival Thunder Air Show.
The Golden Knights, stationed out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, claim more than 400 national championships, 60 world championships, and numerous team championships.
Viper West
The 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah is home to the
Viper West Coast Demonstration Team, one of two single ship F-16 aerial demonstration teams in Air Combat Command. The F-16 Fighting Falcon, more commonly known to military pilots as the Viper, is a compact, extremely maneuverable multi-role fighter aircraft. The F-16 has proven itself in air-to-air combat as well as air-to-surface attack. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the air forces of the United States and other allied nations.
United States Navy F/A-18 Demo
The 2007 East Cast F/A-18C Hornet Demo Team is proud to represent the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. Your Demo pilot for this years show is LT Tom “Natty” Clark. He is supported by two Maintenance Professionals, AD2 Ppool and AE2 Lucas. The Hornet is the nations first true strike-fighter capable aircraft. It was designed for traditional strike aircraft missions without compromising its fighter capabilities. In fighter mode, the F/A-18 is used primarily as a fighter escort and for fleet defense; in its attack mode, it is used for force projection, interdiction, and close air support.
F/A-18 Hornets are currently operating in 37 tactical squadrons worldwide and from 10 aircraft carriers. It is proudly flown by the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron.
The F/A-18 demonstrated its capabilities and versatility during Operation Desert Storm, shooting down enemy fighters and subsequently bombing their targets with the same aircraft on the same mission. It also broke all records for tactical aircraft in availability, reliability, and maintainability. The aircraft's survivability was proven by Hornets taking direct hits from surface-to-air missiles, only to fly again the next day.
All F/A-18s can be configured quickly to perform either fighter or attack roles or both, through selected use of external ordnance and sensors to accomplish specific missions. This “force multiplier” capability gives the operational commander more flexibility in employing tactical aircraft in a rapidly changing battle scenario.
Shuttle Schedule
Friday service to Tri-State Aero:
Whirlpool South Lot from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m and Whirlpool, Sunset Park,
and Atlas Van Lines from 5 - 10 p.m.
and Atlas Van Lines from 5 - 10 p.m.
Saturday shuttle service:
Central High School, Wolf's Auto, Harrison High School, Locust & 3rd, and Whirlpool South Lot from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday shuttle service: Central High School, Wolf's Auto, Harrison High School, Locust & 3rd, Whirlpool South Lot, Bristol Myers, and the Civic Center from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
There will be a $1 fee per person for service Sat. and Sun. from all locations. There is no charge for the return trip. Children 5 and under free, coolers and lawn chairs permitted.
Fourth of July shuttle service: Civic Center Parking Lot from
7:30 – 10:30 p.m. This service is free.
7:30 – 10:30 p.m. This service is free.
Evansville Freedom Festival Parade
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Thunder on the Ohio
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F-117 Fly Over
B-52 Fly Over
Happy Aerobatics Presented by Tri-State Orthopaedics
Happy Aerobatics is flown by airshow performer Kelly Pietrowicz.
Her Pitts SB2 is a muscle bi-plane. She has performed for audiences at airshows including Tinker, Scott and McConnell Air Force Bases. Kelly formed Happy Aerobatics LLC where she provides the opportunity for people to enjoy the thrill of aerobatic airplane rides. She also conducts advanced training for pilots.
Her Pitts SB2 is a muscle bi-plane. She has performed for audiences at airshows including Tinker, Scott and McConnell Air Force Bases. Kelly formed Happy Aerobatics LLC where she provides the opportunity for people to enjoy the thrill of aerobatic airplane rides. She also conducts advanced training for pilots.
Flight for Diabetes Inc.
The Flight for Diabetes, Inc. was founded to increase public awareness and education programs for children with diabetes. Over the last three years, Michael and other Flight for Diabetes volunteers have provided motivational and inspirational presentations to thousands of people with diabetes across the Midwest. Held in conjunction with major aviation events, Flight for Diabetes will bring over 6,000 children through our unique program this season. The organization participates in numerous high-visibility activities throughout the year, resulting in outstanding community interest and generous media exposure. The program is operated solely through private donations and corporate sponsorship of high-visibility activities and substantial media coverage.
US Air Force Heritage Flight
The US Air Force Heritage Flight consists of Single-Ship Demonstration Teams and Civilian Warbird Pilots flying in formation. These flights reflect Air Force airpower from past to present. The USAF Heritage Flight has delighted more than 200 million fans over the last ten years.
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Old National Bank’s Thunder Air