The 25th anniversary Duluth Airshow is celebrating all things Red, White and Blues this Independence Day weekend. Because of the weather conditions that aerial performances won’t start until 11am. Due to the sheer number of performers, flying will be longer than normal this year.

One of those performers is John Melby, who has been flying since he was fifteen.

“I actually went to the air show when I was 12 years old, right here at Duluth. I watched the famous air show pilot named Bob Hoover, and I told my dad, ‘Someday I’m going to be an air show pilot,’. He’s like, ‘Okay, John,’ well, I ended up doing that,” said Melby.

Melby has been flying in airshows for 23 years and has run in all kinds of weather. As prior military, he has experienced flight in the larger jets, but now is enjoying the experience in a smaller plane.

“You just, I throw the airplane around. I have no hydraulics. Everything is just pure muscle. They’ll throw the plane around. And it’s just fun when you get to do something and it actually works out the way you want it to,” said Melby.

Leading the 25th anniversary of the Duluth Airshow is the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the Canadian Forces Snowbirds. Additional acts scheduled to perform to include the USAF F-22 Raptor Demo team, U.S. Navy F-35F Demo team, U.S. Navy Leap Frogs, U. S. Army Golden Knights, a Navy Legacy Flight, the USAF Heritage Flight and much, much more.

“We couldn’t ask for a better way to celebrate our 25th year then with the biggest lineup we’ve ever had,” said Duluth Airshow President Ryan Kern. “This is the number one requested Airshow weekend in the country and it’s happening right here in Duluth. This is an Airshow you do not want to miss.”

“This year’s really special. It’s the 25th anniversary of the Air Show, the 149th of the Navy, with the Blue Angels performing, and it’s Independence Day weekend. And we also have the Canadian Snowbirds, so it’s very special,” said Marge Swor, HR Director for the Duluth Airshow.

Two attendees for Saturday’s events were Richard and Becky from East Bethel, Minnesota. Learning about the Duluth Airshow from Becky’s mother, the pair decided to visit the Airshow for the first time.

“I know that the U.S. Navy Blue Angels are coming up to do some fantastic performances this year. Well, especially for me, I’m retired Air Force. So being able to see some of these planes back up close again, it’s a treat,” said Richard. “He’s talked about them a lot and this is my first time seeing a lot of these planes. So I think it would just be a lot of fun to come out, bring the whole family, bring the kids, bring some ear protection,” said Becky.

The Duluth Airshow provides just under $20 million in economic impact. Roughly 75 percent of attendees come from outside of Duluth. Spectators will discover the marvels of aviation, learn about historical aircraft, and witness awe-inspiring performances by world-class pilots.

Additionally, the 25th anniversary of the Duluth Airshow will feature one of the largest static displays of current and historical aircraft in the Midwest. Gates are open to the public from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.