The Only City in Michigan to Host the United States Air Force Thunderbirds!

The Air Show will be held June 30^th & July 1^st (Saturday & Sunday) at W.K. Kellogg Airport

The 2012 Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show promises to be one of the best ones yet. The planning process for the air show is in full swing.

The 2012 Air Show will feature:

• Michigan's ONLY APPEARANCE by a United States Military Jet Team. The US Air Force Thunderbirds will perform June 30th & July 1st
• Over 5 ACTION PACKED hours of extreme air show & family FUN Entertainment (more than most other air shows)
• The Raw & Amazing Power of today's military aircraft
• An All-Star Aerobatic Review (Civilian Aerobatic Dream Teams)
• Warbird Acts (from props to jets)
• Salutes to our Soldiers & Veterans
• Spectacular Aerial Feats
• Air & Ground Acts

And, for those wondering...the Magical Twilight & Night Air Show will BE BACK in 2012 due to popular demand.

The Air Show in Battle Creek is known for assembling a spectacular lineup and is considered to be one of the greats. 2012 will prove to be no different.

Check the Airshow 2012 section of this website for all the acts that we have CONFIRMED to perform at the 2012 Air Show thus far.

Thursday, June 28 
7:45 - 9:15 PM

Glory Days (Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band)

One of the hottest bands currently on the entertainment circuit! GLORY DAYS generates energy and excitement every time they perform. This dynamic band is composed of seven very talented musicians that were specifically selected from auditions throughout the mid-west.GLORY DAYS' current lineup includes a very talented and experienced lead vocalist that fronts the band. A tight rhythm section provides the drive that powers the band through it's high energy sets! Two guitarists are needed to get both the rhythm and lead parts that give the E-Street Band it's signature sound. GLORY DAYS is one of the rare few bands you will see featuring two fine keyboardists. The final member is an excellent sax man that allows the group to very credibly recreate the sound & the experience of Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band.

Saturday, June 30

7:30 - 9:00 PM

Emma King & the Heartsets (UK Country)

At the age of seven, Emma King crept down the stairs one evening to find Alan Jackson performing and she instantly fell in love with his style, sound and vocals – it was like nothing she’d ever heard before and instantly she realized that her true calling was Country music.
Taught and supported by her parents, Emma began performing professionally at the age of 13. Perhaps the most important connection Emma made in Brighton was with a young German bass player called Toby Schwietering, who had vast experience of performing in bands and working as a live sound engineer. As a result Emma King and the Heartsets were born. Emma and Toby contacted Ritch Spence, a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and up and coming music producer.

Watch & Listen to video of Emma King and the Heartsets.

Sunday, July 1
8:30 - 10:00 PM
The Big Gun Band (AC/DC Tribute Band)

The "BIG GUN BAND" will travel all the way to Battle Creek from Knoxville, Tennessee for their 2012 Nationwide Tour. They are the #1 AC/DC Tribute Band in the Country and well regarded as one of the best tribute bands of all time.

In late 2001, an idea developed in the minds of a few local Knoxville rockers. With endless amounts of dedication, it wasn't long before Big Gun was born.  In early 2002, the dream came true. The band produced their first demo CD (which is available for purchase by visiting their website). Over the years, the band blossomed into what they are today.

The band will close out the 2012 Festival on Sunday, July 1st performing from 8:30 to 10 PM. They will surely rock the festival grounds performing famous AC/DC hits such as "Back In Black", "Thunderstruck" & of course "BIG GUN".

See Schedule of Events for All Field of Flight Events. See Center Stage Schedule for all performers.

Their one and only Michigan performance will happen right here in Battle Creek!

There is a chance of Thunder at this years Field of Flight Airshow & Balloon Festival. That’s right, They’re back…the world famous US Air Force Thunderbirds Jet Demonstration Squadron.

During their 59th season in 2012, the Thunderbirds will showcase the pride and precision of today’s US Air Force with over 70 performances at several different show sites. The team will proudly perform on behalf of the nearly 700,000 active-duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve & civilian Airmen serving at home and abroad. It’s from that diverse group of Air Force professionals that the Thunderbirds team is formed.

The Thunderbirds were first activated on May 25th, 1953 as the Air Force’s Official Air Demonstration Team. They were designated the 3600th Air Demonstration Unit and were stationed at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona flying the F-84G Thunderjet. Over the years, the Thunderbirds flew famous US Air Force Aircraft that have gone down in history such as the F-84F Thunderstreak, the F-100C Super Sabre, F-105B Thunderchief, F-100D Super Sabre, F-4E Phantom II, T-38 Talon…and into the Mighty F-16 Fighting Falcon (Block 52 model) that the team flies today.

According to Indian legend, the Thunderbird was a giant eagle (some envisioned a hawk) that was spoken about with great fear & respect. When it took to the skies, the earth trembled from the thunder of its wings and bolts of lightning shot from its eyes. Nothing in nature could challenge the bird of thunder, the story of the Thunderbird was repeated across generations…and today, it is now a legend.

The legend will take to the skies this summer in Battle Creek, Michigan as the thunder (known as the Sound of Freedom) and will represent not only the professionalism of the US Air Force, but the patriotism of our great nation of the United States.

The “thunder” will come from six F-16 Fighting Falcon jets painted in Red, White & Blue colors with the Thunderbird emblem on the bottom. Their show will rock the skies as the Diamond formation (Jets 1-4) perform a series of precision maneuvers, keeping their aircraft just INCHES from each other. This is in concert with the high speed & G maneuvers performed by the Solos (Jets 5-6). This includes a series of head-on passes & solo maneuvers showcasing the tactical profile of the Block 52 Viper. In the end, all six jets team up and showcase the pinnacle of formation flying, the Delta Formation.
http://www.afthunderbirds.com/site/

April 16, 2012

BATTLE CREEK FIELD OF FLIGHT AIR SHOW & BALLOON FESTIVAL

JUNE 28 – JULY 1, 2012

FEATURING 50 PLUS HOT-AIR BALLOONS AND THE ONLY APPEARANCE BY THE U.S. AIR FORCE THUNDERBIRDS

Battle Creek Field of Flight was awarded the #1 Festival in West Michigan!

WZZM 13 TV ran the competition and began the challenge with 64 different festivals and attractions!

“We are thrilled to receive this honor and equally as thrilled that so many dedicated spectators voted for us, stated Barbara Haluszka, Executive Director”.

This summer’s Battle Creek Field of Flight has the largest Air Show in Michigan and is the only city in Michigan to host the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.  In fact, Battle Creek will be the only city in Michigan to host a jet team; no appearance by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.

Besides the incredible air show featuring the USAF Thunderbirds, the Field of Flight will expand with an F-86, Tuskegee Airmen T-6, MIG-17, P-51 Horsemen, World Champion Rob Holland, and the world’s fastest jet powered school bus and this is just the start.

“We have a new focus on entertainment too, stated Haluszka.  We are adding a very exciting Bruce Springsteen tribute band called Glory Days.  They are so impressive with their seven (7) piece band which includes the saxophone!  To add to the excitement, up and coming country singer Emma King and the Heartsets will take to center stage.  Emma is from England and will sing her hits and multiple cover songs.  Again, this is only mentioning a few, stated Haluszka”.

Although the event is prior to the July 4th holiday, fireworks will still be one of the main attractions!  The famous Melrose Pyrotechnics will put on one incredible 15 minute show all choreographed to popular artists hit singles!

Don’t miss this summer’s Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival, June 28 – July 1, 2012!

For more information and schedule updates please visit our website or call the Field of Flight Office at 269-962-0592!