Great Texas Air Show Draws Thousands, Despite Rough Morning Weather

The Great Texas Air Show in San Antonio attracted throngs of spectators over the weekend, even though the event was delayed for over two hours due to inclement weather Saturday morning. As the skies began to clear later in the day, the cheerful visitors proved that a bit of gloom wasn’t enough to damp those high spirits.

A Day of Delay Turns Into A Day of Excitement

The morning’s continuous drizzle and sudden lightning strikes led to the ceremonial events being postponed. The airbase at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph was abuzz with families examining the insides of parked planes and perusing static exhibits. Despite the delays, a significant portion of the crowd chose to stay back for the main event.

The attendees found ways to make the most of their time by involving themselves in pushup and pullup competitions, enjoying local cuisine, and catching up with old friends. As the day progressed, universities and local law enforcement joined military branches in utilizing this event as a chance to recruit potential students, service members, and cadets.

Stimulating Attractions

A particular attraction that stood out was a mobile training unit designated for a research and training project affiliated with UTSA. This large truck, fondly known as “The Beast,” caught the attention of many, including siblings Randy and Jackson Goodman. For 12-year-old Randy, seeing the word “cybersecurity” on this mobile training unit was particularly exciting.

The Cybersecurity Manufacturing Innovation Institute’s manager, Nate Acevedo, explained that these mobile training units are used to provide no-cost training to small media manufacturers about cybersecurity hygiene and awareness. This was an engaging and educational stop for many young, aspiring technologists in the crowd.

Connecting with the Community

Despite the dusky weather, Texas A&M University San Antonio found a unique and fun way to connect with the community. In addition to giving away merchandise, they provided an opportunity for prospective students to take photos with a life-size cutout of President Salvador Hector Ochoa. They used this event to increase visibility and awareness of the university’s location and its dedicated department for military connected students.

Celebration in the Skies

As the first patch of blue sky crept through the clouds, cheers echoed across the fields. The Nanchang CJ-6 made its way into the air with dark smoke trails marking the spiraling path. This signaled the beginning of the airshow, much to the delight of the patiently waiting crowd.

Despite the morning’s hiccups and delays, the Great Texas Air Show proved once again to be a hub of excitement, education, and community engagement. It stands testament to the resilience and spirit of Texans, who turned a dreary morning into a day full of vibrant memories.

Although weather conditions caused the airshow to hit rough skies for a while, it didn’t stop thousands of spectators from enjoying one of the most anticipated events in San Antonio.

Further Information

A second air show is scheduled for 9 am on the following Sunday, with the weather forecast suggesting dry, partly sunny conditions. This will undoubtedly draw in even more eager spectators, ready to share in the excitement of this high-flying event.