Celebrate St. Louis Holds First Independence Day Airshow: Introduction to Performers

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By Carmelo Turdo

Celebrate St. Louis, a new nonprofit organization dedicated to working with local groups to provide entertainment opportunities that support local charities, held their first Independence Day event in downtown St. Louis. Along with a parade, concerts and fireworks display, July 4 saw the return of the airshow flown in front of the Gateway Arch. 

The Celebrate St. Louis Airshow featured seven civilian performers based at St. Louis Downtown Airport in Cahokia Heights, Illinois, within sight of the Gateway Arch. The Aero Experience was with the performers July 3-4 as they arrived on site and flew the airshow. We begin a series of stories covering the Celebrate St. Louis Airshow with this brief look at these nationally-renowned airshow pilots and their aircraft during our visit.

Patrick McAlee Airshows ExtremeFlight, Pitts S-1 Blue Demon

Greg Koontz Airshows, Super Decathlon

Jeff Shetterly, North American SNJ-6 Texan

Chuck Coleman, Extra 300L

Ed Hamill, Folds of Honor Pitts S-2

Kevin Coleman, Red Bull Extra 300S 

Tom Larkin, Mini Jet Airshows SubSonex

The Aero Experience thanks Celebrate St. Louis, St. Louis Downtown Airport, Jet Aviation FBO, the airshow performers and everyone who made our on-site coverage possible. We will have much more media from on the ground and in the air coming soon.