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Pistons & Props organizers pitch expanded airshow, veterans programming and STEAM events at county meeting
Summary
Organizers of the Pistons & Props event described their 2024 launch and plans for July 2025, reporting roughly 2,500 attendees, a $250,000 local economic impact estimate and plans to expand children’s STEAM programming and veterans rides for 2025 and an airshow in 2026.
Organizers of Pistons & Props told the Rock County Board March 13 about the nonprofit event’s first-year results and plans to expand the airshow and educational programming.
Joshua (Josh) Gowey, president of Propel Forward and event director for Pistons & Props, said the group’s 2024 launch drew about 2,500 people, including roughly 500 children who used the event’s educational area, and generated an estimated $250,000 in local economic impact. He described partnerships with local nonprofit groups and veterans’ organizations and outlined plans for July 18–19, 2025, including a veterans-themed Friday night and a family STEAM day on Saturday.
“We are comprised of a 7 board member, all volunteer working board of directors,” Gowey said, describing Propel Forward as a local 501(c)(3). He said the organization raised volunteer and community support for the event and emphasized two primary missions: children’s education (with a focus on aviation, mechanical skills and STEM) and support for local veterans.
Gowey said the 2024 event included historic aircraft and a 14-plane flyover, 230 cars in a community car show, two live bands and roughly 100 volunteers; organizers facilitated veterans’ flights in a B-25 and provided some sponsored or discounted rides. For 2025 the group plans a Salute to Our Vets night featuring veteran rides in a B-29 (Superfortress) and an expanded educational footprint able to serve about 1,000 children through Saturday’s programming.
Organizers said they are coordinating with the Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport and the airport board and seeking financial and logistical support as they expand. Gowey said the organization is planning a separate STEAM/career event on April 29 with local schools and expects to scale educational participation in 2026 alongside a proposed airshow.
Board members praised the event’s community value and economic impact; one supervisor said bringing veterans and youth together at the airport produced “memories that I'll never forget,” after attending last year’s event with a 94-year-old veteran.
No county appropriation or action was requested at the meeting; the presentation served to inform the board and to seek informal support as the nonprofit expands programming.
