Visitors are being warned there could be traffic delays since as many as 500,000 people are expected to attend the two-day event. Watch video
CHICOPEE – The Great New England Air Show at Westover Air Reserve Base will run Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine. Gates will open at 8:30 a.m. and the flying demonstrations will begin at 10 a.m.
Three gates will be open for visitors at 803 James St., 2255 Westover Road and 120 New Ludlow Road in Granby. Visitors are being warned there could be traffic delays since as many as 500,000 people are expected to attend the two-day event.
A list of alternative routes are on the show’s website and if there are traffic tie-ups they will be announced on the site greatnewenglandairshow.com as well as on the Westover Facebook site. People are encouraged to come early to avoid traffic problems.
The Department of Transportation has also put out an advisory recommending that motorists who are not attending the show should avoid the base area.
For security reasons, all people and items brought on base are subject to search. People are allowed to bring in food and drinks, but they must be in clear containers. Still cameras and video cameras are allowed, but owners should not load film before going through security. No coolers are allowed, except for small ones carrying baby formula or life-saving medication. Loose ice is banned but ice packs are allowed.
The following items are also banned: cans, glass, alcohol, pets, weapons, tents, awnings, cooking equipment, bicycles, roller blades and skateboards. Visitors may bring small umbrellas and small lawn chairs.
Residents near the base should expect extra noise, especially Friday, as planes as flying in for the show.
The schedule of different flying events is also available on the Great New England Air Show website, but they are subject to change. There are also a huge number of static displays of everything from planes flown at Westover and fighter planes to a NASA exhibit and a display of historic planes, called the War Birds.
The theme to this year’s show is a salute to The Greatest Generation. There will be a history display of World War II in one of the hangars.