With the 2024 Great Bend Airport Airfest just five weeks away, sponsors of the triennial air show hosted the Great Bend Chamber Coffee at the airport on Thursday.

Christina Hayes of the Convention and Visitors Bureau said tickets for the airfest are available online at greatbendairfest.com and the last day for early bird pricing is Tuesday, Aug. 20. Tickets are $20 for Friday and Sunday, which each feature an air show, and $30 for Saturday, when three air shows are scheduled. There are discounts for veterans and seniors. Tickets for children ages 6 to 12 are $5 and remain the same after the early bird period ends. Children under 5 are free. All ticket prices (except child tickets) increase by $5 after Tuesday. A 3% booking fee will be charged at online checkout to offset credit card fees.

Hayes said volunteers are needed for Friday, Sept. 20, as more than 1,000 area school-age children will be participating. Anyone interested can email her at [email protected].

Numerous sponsors have helped cover the cost of this $375,000 event, Hayes added. The Golden Belt Community Foundation is helping with ticket costs for children participating and the Barton County Commission has contributed $25,000. Sponsorship information is available on the website.

Airport manager Martin Miller talked about some of the special attractions, including performers, rides and tours, and static exhibits. On the final day, there will be a ceremony to honor veterans.

“This is a big event for Great Bend,” Miller said, noting that between 40,000 and 60,000 visitors are expected.

During the Airfest, airspace is closed up to 13,000 feet and a radius of 5 miles.

Thursday’s program began solemnly with a minute’s silence in memory of Tuesday morning’s electrical accident in the main hangar that left one man dead and another seriously injured.