Organizer outlines July 11–12 Bremerton Air Show, warns of rising costs and limited military participation

Roger Collins, of the Collins Historical Aircraft Foundation, told the Port of Bremerton board that the 2026 Bremerton Air Show is scheduled for July 11–12 with a practice/media day on July 10.

Collins outlined a multi‑aircraft lineup including an F‑86, multiple P‑51s (with paid rides planned), a PBY Catalina, P‑40s and a Hellcat, plus helicopter and jet‑vehicle displays. He said organizers have arranged a chalet, a drive‑in viewing area, a car show, vendor booths and school‑district buses to shuttle attendees.

"We're tracking in line with last year," Collins said, but added staff are "concerned about lack of any military presence," a change he attributed to recent military activity and the Growler accident that temporarily curtailed Navy acts. Collins also said the port and organizers are working with the Navy bases and local radio advertising to promote ticket sales.

Collins detailed logistics: temporary restricted airspace is planned from noon to 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the show, so Bremerton National Airport will operate outside those windows. He warned that one of the biggest cost increases this year is fuel and avgas, which he said has driven up the event's expenses substantially.

Organizers reported a budget exceeding $300,000 and said ticket‑sale targets were in the roughly $250,000 range; Collins noted sponsorship and hotel‑tax assistance from the city and from Kitsap County in prior years but later said county funding may not be provided again. The port confirmed event and participant insurance requirements and that organizers must name the port and airport as additional insureds.

The board thanked Collins and port staff for the briefing; commissioners were invited to attend the Friday practice/media day and the public show on Saturday and Sunday.