Mayor: Buckeye Air Fair drew about 36,000 people and showcased aviation career pathways
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Summary
Mayor Eric Orsborn recapped the Buckeye Air Fair at the Feb. 18 meeting, saying the three-day event attracted roughly 36,000 attendees (a 20% increase), hosted 2,000 school children in an aviation academy, had more than 120 volunteers and received over $200,000 in sponsor support. He thanked AOPA, Luke Air Force Base and city departments.
Mayor Eric Orsborn delivered a detailed post-event report on the Buckeye Air Fair during the Feb. 18 council meeting, saying the three-day event drew an estimated 36,000 people — about a 20% increase from the previous year — and included a range of education and public-safety elements.
The mayor said the event hosted an aviation academy that brought approximately 2,000 school-aged children for STEM-focused activities including escape-room-style problem solving, and that the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) ran a sold-out exhibit hall and aircraft displays. "We had an estimated 36,000 attendees, and that's a 20% increase over last year," the mayor said.
He credited city staff, volunteers and public-safety personnel for staging the event. The mayor said more than 120 volunteers contributed about 1,070 hours, and sponsors provided over $200,000 in cash and in-kind contributions. He also highlighted the night air show, which included fireworks, and the first ever drone show at the Air Fair; Luke Air Force Base provided flyovers on Friday and Saturday.
The mayor framed the event as both community entertainment and workforce development, noting aviation careers such as aircraft powerplant mechanics, avionics technicians, air traffic control and piloting. He singled out partnerships with AOPA and Luke Air Force Base and praised Buckeye public-works, police and fire staff for their roles in planning and safety operations. Council did not take action on the report; it was offered as an informational update.