AirFest 2026 Brings Historic Aircraft, Aviation Education and Family Entertainment to Cape May Airport

Aviation history, hands-on learning and family activities will come together at Cape May Airport this Labor Day weekend as Naval Air Station Wildwood (NASW) Aviation Museum hosts AirFest 2026. Taking place Thursday, September 3 through Sunday, September 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, the four-day event will feature historic aircraft, military and emergency vehicles, aviation and STEM exhibits, living-history displays, live entertainment, children’s activities, food vendors and more.

Historic aircraft remain at the center of AirFest, but the event offers plenty to explore beyond the flight line. Aviation enthusiasts can examine rare aircraft and meet pilots and crews, while families can spend time with educational exhibits, emergency vehicles, historical displays, and activities throughout the Cape May Airport complex.

AirFest is primarily a ground-viewing and static-display event, giving visitors the opportunity to see many participating aircraft at close range and explore the event at their own pace.

Historic Aircraft Highlight AirFest 2026

One of the most notable aircraft scheduled to appear at AirFest 2026 is the Tunison Foundation’s C-47 “Placid Lassie,” an authentic D-Day combat veteran. The Douglas C-47 played a critical role during World War II, transporting troops, supplies, and equipment and participating in airborne operations. For visitors interested in military history, seeing an aircraft with a direct connection to D-Day offers a tangible link to events often encountered through books, photographs and documentaries.

Another highlight is the Military Aviation Museum’s flying reproduction of the Messerschmitt Me 262. The original Me 262 became the world’s first operational jet-powered fighter aircraft and represented an important development in the history of aviation technology.

The scheduled flight line also includes the Commemorative Air Force Capital Wing’s TBM Avenger “Doris Mae,” Aero L-39 Albatros, Stinson OY-1 Sentinel “Gayle Ann,” Fairchild UC-61 Forwarder “Miss Cherrie II,” Beechcraft T-34 Mentor, rare Fuji LM-1, SNJ/AT-6 Texans, a South African Air Force-marked Harvard/T-6, Yak-52TD, PT-26 Cornell and Nanchang CJ-6.

Together, the aircraft provide a look at different eras, designs, and purposes in aviation history. There may be a few surprises as well. The Aero Club of Pennsylvania and EAA Fly-In will return, bringing privately owned aircraft flown in by pilots from around the region. The exact assortment can vary, and previous fly-ins have included everything from a Beech 18 and Republic Seabee to Yaks, Cubs, and other distinctive aircraft.

 Public-Safety Aircraft and Emergency Vehicles Join the Event

AirFest will also highlight the role aviation and specialized technology continue to play in public safety. Visiting aircraft and crews are expected from AtlantiCare Medevac, the New Jersey State Police, Cape May County Mosquito Control and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. Their participation gives visitors a closer look at how aircraft are used for purposes ranging from emergency medical transportation and law enforcement to environmental management and wildfire response.

Additional law-enforcement and emergency-service organizations will bring specialized personnel, vehicles, and equipment. Planned displays include SWAT personnel, fire and emergency apparatus, and the Lower Township Police Department’s UAS/drone unit.

For younger visitors, the public-safety displays provide a chance to see familiar community vehicles and equipment from a new perspective. Families can also look for opportunities to climb aboard participating fire trucks. Smokey Bear is scheduled to make a special appearance, adding another familiar face to the weekend’s public-safety and educational programming.

 Aviation and STEM Education Offer Hands-On Learning

Education is another important part of AirFest 2026, with participating organizations introducing visitors to aviation, technology and related STEM fields. The New Jersey Wing Civil Air Patrol and the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center Aviation STEM program will be among the organizations participating, along with additional military, aviation, educational and community groups.

Aviation brings together science, technology, engineering and mathematics in ways that can be easy to see in a real-world setting. Aircraft design, navigation, weather, propulsion and drone technology all rely on STEM concepts, making the flight line and surrounding exhibits a natural learning environment.

For children and teenagers interested in airplanes, engineering or technology, these exhibits can also provide an introduction to potential hobbies, educational paths and careers. Meeting pilots, aviation professionals and public-safety personnel adds a personal element to that experience.

The Magnolia Sadies Bring the 1940s to Life

The historical experience at AirFest extends beyond the aircraft themselves. The Magnolia Sadies Vintage Dancers will bring the music, dance, and style of the 1940s to Historic Hangar #1, helping visitors experience another side of the era represented throughout the museum.

Their appearance is particularly fitting given the history of the location. Naval Air Station Wildwood operated as a World War II dive-bomber training center, and Historic Hangar #1 remains a physical connection to the thousands of men who trained at the station during the war years.

By recreating elements of 1940s culture through period-inspired clothing, music, and dance, the Magnolia Sadies add a lively component to the historical programming and provide a different way for families and younger visitors to connect with the period.

Ted Schwartz’s 1940s-style radio show will further add to the atmosphere inside Historic Hangar #1. The program will feature music from the era alongside presentations about World War II and the history of Naval Air Station Wildwood.

Live Music Adds to the Weekend

AirFest 2026 will also feature live music throughout the four-day event, providing entertainment between visits to the aircraft, exhibits and other attractions.

Scheduled performers include the John Walter Cape Community Band, Maddie Hogan and Animal House.

The performances add another dimension to the weekend without taking away from AirFest’s focus on aviation and history. Visitors can stop for some music before returning to the flight line, exploring Historic Hangar #1 or checking out the public-safety and educational exhibits.

For families spending several hours at the airport, the live entertainment also provides a natural opportunity to slow down, grab something to eat, and enjoy another part of the event.

More Family Activities Beyond the Flight Line

Aircraft may be the main attraction, but families will find additional activities throughout the grounds. Visitors can explore military vehicles and historic equipment, speak with living-history reenactors, watch historical tabletop wargaming demonstrations, and meet visiting authors.

For younger guests, AirFest will feature free face painting and caricatures, chalk art by Samantha Dahlstrom, and paddle boats, in addition to opportunities to climb aboard participating fire trucks. The variety allows families to shape their visit around different interests. Someone fascinated by aviation can spend plenty of time on the flight line, while other members of the family can explore historical displays, children’s activities, entertainment, and educational exhibits.

 Food and Refreshments at AirFest

A full day of exploring also comes with plenty of options for a food break. A variety of food trucks and vendors will be available throughout AirFest. Inside Historic Hangar #1, Victory Scoops will serve ice cream, milkshakes, hot dogs, nachos, pretzels, and refreshments. The AirFest Beer & Wine Garden will feature local beer and wine as well as non-alcoholic choices.

Free parking will be available throughout all four days of AirFest. On Saturday and Sunday, shuttle service around the Cape May Airport complex will help visitors travel between different areas of the event. Admission is $18 for adults and $14 for children ages 3 to 12. NASW Aviation Museum members, active-duty military personnel, and children ages 2 and younger are admitted free.

 Experiencing Aviation History Where It Happened

Part of what makes AirFest distinctive is its setting. Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum is located inside Historic Hangar #1 at Cape May Airport, a site that once served as part of a World War II dive-bomber training center.

Naval Air Station Wildwood operated from 1943 to 1945, preparing aviators for military service during World War II. Today, the museum preserves the history of the station and honors the 42 aviators who lost their lives while training at NAS Wildwood.

Hosting AirFest at this location creates a direct connection between the aircraft and displays visitors see and the broader history they represent. World War II-era aviation can be explored alongside modern emergency aircraft, privately owned airplanes, and newer technologies such as drones, providing a look at how aviation has evolved while continuing to serve important roles.

That combination also helps AirFest appeal to visitors beyond dedicated aviation enthusiasts. Parents can introduce children to aviation and STEM, multiple generations can explore World War II history together, and families can balance time spent viewing aircraft with music, activities, and other entertainment.

AirFest 2026 will take place September 3–6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum at Cape May Airport. The museum itself is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Because aircraft participation, arrival and departure times, schedules, and static-display availability can change due to weather, maintenance, operational missions, or other circumstances, visitors should check the latest information before attending. A complete daily agenda, including aircraft appearance windows, entertainment, presentations and activities, is available at usnasw.org/airfest and will continue to be updated as the event approaches.

With historic aircraft, modern public-safety displays, STEM education, living history, live music, and family activities all sharing the same setting, AirFest 2026 offers a broad look at aviation’s past and present while giving visitors plenty to discover throughout the Labor Day weekend.