The Cleveland Air Show over the Labor Day weekend is a city tradition. From 1929 to 1949, the National Air Races were held in Cleveland as a competitive event. The first official air show in Cleveland would be held in 1964 at Burke Lake Airport. The show continued along the same vein as those earlier races, including things like aerobatic teams, high-powered biplanes, and formula race heats. Of course the highlights are groups like the Air Force Thunderbirds, the Navy’s Blue Angels, and the Army’s Golden Knights parachute team.
Have you ever visited Marjorie Rosenbaum Aviation Plaza? The Plaza is a landscaped park that is dedicated to the pilots, performers and airplanes who have thrilled Clevelanders as part of the National Air Races and the Cleveland Air Show.
On black granite plaques, the plaza honors eighteen significant people, events and airplanes that contributed or appeared in the National Air Races. Some of those honored include greats like Amelia Earhart, Charles Lindbergh, Jimmy Doolittle, and Roscoe Turner. In the ground are plaques that highlight thirty two renowned Cleveland Air Show performers who have graced our skies.
Also are part of the plaza are two authentic McDonnell-Douglas F-4 “Phantom” jets. The jets have been painted in the exact paint schemes of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. Whether you are going to the Cleveland Air Show, the IWASM or Burke Lake Airport, check out the Marjorie Rosenbaum Aviation Plaza.
Want to see downtown Cleveland? Join us on one of our walking tours. To learn more about our options, see our schedule and book your tour, visit www.toursofcleveland.com.
