The fourth annual Hollister Airshow is set for Saturday and Sunday at the Hollister Municipal Airport, with gates opening at 9 a.m. and closing at 4 p.m. The aerial performances will begin at 11 a.m., with a flag jump to the National Anthem.
One of the performers, Vicky Benzing, has logged more than 5,000 flight hours. A pilot, skydiver and aerobatics competitor, she learned to fly in Watsonville. She will be performing in a German-built Extra 300S.
Entertainment this year will also include motorcycle demonstrations, as the Hollister Motorcycle Rally will for Fourth of July this year. Jason Pullen, who got his first mini bike when he was 5, will be performing stunts on a Harley.
The show will again have aircrafts on display during the show, with a judging for participants.
Tickets for the show are $15 for those 13 and older, $10 for children 6-12 and free for children under 5. Parking is $5. The show is rain or shine.
Airport Manager Mike Chambless this week said crews were out preparing beforehand by mowing and weeding and doing some maintenance work, along with setting up parking areas.
“We’ve expanded this year’s show quite a bit actually,” said Chambless.
He added that a Douglas DC-4 vintage aircraft will be there flying each day.
“It’s an old passenger propeller jet that’s been converted for maritime service,” he said. “It’s rare to see any propeller-driven, big planes anymore. You just don’t see it.”
Some other highlights include the motorcycle demo and an added level of excitement with five mustangs in the air at once. New this year for the first time will be aircraft judging as well, he said.
Chambless said it is hard to judge attendance expectations. There were about 2,500 people at last year’s event, which lost around $18,000. Chambless said the airport increased its advertising this year.
“It’s a great event and hopefully people will come out and have a great time,” he said.
One volunteer heavily involved is Ruth Erickson with the Hollister Airmen’s Association. She volunteers and is a planning committee member.
“It’s a family event but also, if you’re interested in anything to do with aviation and history, there’s a lot of history there – a lot of historical planes,” she said.
