7. Night Airshow: The Night Airshow at AirVenture started as a curiosity and has become a centerpiece of the show. It’s morphed over time. The acts are slicker and the effects have 10 times the “wow power.” And the folks at EAA have figured out that the people who show up for the extravaganza, because that’s what it’s become, love the fireworks aspect of it. It’s really a fireworks show with airplanes. And it is AWESOME. Everyone is talking about Wednesday night’s “Ball of Fire” finale. No BS. If people were there, they’re still talking about it. Here’s my point. If you weren’t there, go to Saturday’s Night Airshow. Just go.
6. Airplane People: If you’re here or have been here, you know that airplane people are different in about a dozen good ways than—how do I say it—people who aren’t airplane people. Sure, the guys at the table next to us at the Italian joint last night spent a good deal of time talking about induction systems. When it comes to dinner conversations, how cool is that? So long as you’re nuts about planes, that is. Which I am and you are, too. One difference is key. Airplane people are decent people. They’re considerate of others. They care. They’re involved. And they’re kind. Of course there are exceptions, but for every jerk with an airplane you see at OSH, you’ll meet a thousand amazing human beings. That’s a huge part of this experience.
5. 7 A.M. Yodeling. One of the Oshkosh traditions, and I do not know who started it, is to say “good morning” to thousands of campers and early birds with a short yodeling session broadcast over the site-wide PA system at some volume. This is wrong. And some mornings after late nights, I am not a fan of whoever it is who’s doing the deed. And perversely, I hope they never stop doing it. It’s weird and fun. Oshkosh is generally not a weird part of the world, so let’s hold on to all the oddball elements as long as we can.
4. Jelly Donuts: La Sure’s Cakes and Café’s jelly-filled sugar-dusted donuts might just be the best in the world. Donuts are not part of a healthy diet in general, but I make a La Sure’s exception at OSH every year.
