Originally published at: EAA AirVenture Pumps $257 Million Into Local Economy - AVweb
The report highlights record attendance in 2024 and notes that most of the spending benefits local businesses, lodging and jobs across Oshkosh and surrounding counties.
$300 per day per visitor? Who the heck can afford that? Since 2015, the cost of one day admission for a non-member has risen from $45 to $68, a 51% increase. One day of parking has increased from $10 to $25, a 250% increase. So the total cost to attend just one day has increased from $55 (already a LOT of money) to $93, nearly 70% increase. Inflation-adjusted from 2015, the current cost should be “only” $75, not $93. A day of camping in Camp Schoeller has gone up from $26 to $39, a 50% increase for the same tiny plot of grass, crowded showers and port-a-john. And you must pay for a minimum of 3 nights, even if you only spend one night camping. The total cost then is a whopping $117 per day, with expensive food, drinks and very expensive merchandise added to it. I have attended often, including as a volunteer, Sport Aviation writer, chapter president and exhibitor, but just can no longer see the value in this event, since most of the same information is available online. How will the EAA attract the young adults or anyone with a modest income or a bunch of kids to feed? The EAA is becoming a club of the aviation elites.
I have to admit some sticker shock during last years show. That is with a significant number of volunteers contributing to the event. I purchased fuel from the FBO folks (Basler) and as I recall gas was over $7 a gallon, I kind of expected to see a competitive fuel price. Its a good thing I didn’t need a fill up, just enough to get down the road a bit to $5 gas.
Stop at Y50, 30 nm due west. $5/gal and it’s an easy in and out. The EAA Chapter 1331 is having a Sunday fly in breakfast at their hangar near the fuel pit 0700 to 1200.
This’ll be my 44th year in attendance since 1977 … I only missed five when I was in the USAF. I view the show as the one week / year for ME to immerse myself into all things aviation. That said, the prices are getting onerous. Every year I tell myself I’m not gonna put up with it the following year but then … I always do. There are ways to reduce those costs but it’s still not an event John Q Public with a family can justify just to see an airshow.
I winter in FL and feel the same way about the season opener Sun-n-Fun show. In fact, I HAVE given it up for the reasons you describe. That show sells itself as Oshkosh South yet, it isn’t. At best, it’s a ‘mini-me.’ The savings of not attending help pay for OSH. I quit AOPA for the same reason. I choose EAA as my vehicle for aviation in person attendance and that’s it. They DO do a good job of most things but price ain’t one of 'em.
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