FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• How do I purchase tickets?

  To avoid long waits at the ticketing and admissions gates and to get the best deals, purchase your tickets IN ADVANCE!

  You can purchase tickets in advance of the show online at: https://nationalwarplanemuseum.com/airshow2024/ by clicking on BUY TICKETS! You can also purchase tickets at the ticketing and admissions gates on the day of the show. Cash or credit is accepted for ticket purchases at the ticketing and admissions gates.

• What if I can't find my EventSprout tickets?

  The easiest way to get your tickets is to find your email order confirmation; tickets are usually attached as a PDF file you can print. Can’t find them, having trouble printing, or other questions visit Eventsprout Zendesk here.

• Can I walk around?

  EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO WALK AROUND THE ENTIRE AIRSHOW GROUNDS NO MATTER WHAT TYPE OF TICKET YOU HAVE. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO STAY IN YOUR CAR OR NEXT TO YOUR CAR IF YOU PURCHASE A TAILGATE TICKET.

• What happens on Friday?

  FRIDAY – On Friday, ONLY MEMBERS will be admitted. Friday is arrival and rehearsal day.  There is no formal program and it is not an official airshow. Performers rehearse their acts for the airshow itself.  The airfield and museum are NOT OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC on Friday. Friday is for Members only.  

  
  If someone needs to update, purchase or renew their membership, they can do so by contacting the NWM office at (585) 243-2100 or online at https://nationalwarplanemuseum.com/membership/. They can also renew or purchase their membership at the gate on Friday, but should expect a wait to do so. ON FRIDAY – Members only, please follow the Tailgate Signs.  On Friday ALL PARKING will be in the tailgating parking area on a FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS. Show your membership card OR a membership confirmation email at the Admission Gates. The airfield and museum are NOT OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC on Friday.

• When do the airplanes fly?

  AIRSHOW SCHEDULE – The exact flight schedule is not released until AFTER the pilot’s briefing each day for safety and security.  This also allows for the most up to date weather conditions and other important factors to be considered. 

  GENERALLY airplanes will be flying during the following windows:

  FRIDAY- 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM 

  SATURDAY – 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM 

  SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM 

  This is subject to change based on a variety of factors and is NOT guaranteed.

• When do the gates open?

  The Admission Gates to the airshow do not open to the public per regulations until the Fire Department & Emergency Services are IN PLACE on the airfield and give their ready signal that the field is open to the public.  Until that time cars will be HELD at the admissions gates. There is NO early entry to the field for the public. 

  The projected times for the gates to open are:

  • FRIDAY 10:00 AM*
  • SATURDAY 8:30 AM
  • SUNDAY 8:30 AM

  This is subject to change based on a variety of factors and is not guaranteed. No members of the public or museum members will be allowed onto the field before the Admission Gates are officially opened. Only Registered Airshow Volunteers will be allowed onto the field before this time.

  *On Friday, ONLY MEMBERS will be admitted. Friday is arrival and rehearsal day.

• When should I arrive?

  See When Do The Gates Open? and When Do The Airplanes Fly? For information on those items.  You can arrive up to one hour before the gates open to line up at the gates in your car, but you will not be admitted to the grounds until the official opening time. 

  Per regulations, All traffic will be held at the admissions gates, until the Fire Department & Emergency Services are IN PLACE on the airfield and give their ready signal that the field is open to the public. Until that time all cars will be HELD at the admissions gates. There is NO early entry to the field for the public.  PLEASE DO NOT ARRIVE EARLIER. YOU WILL NOT BE ADMITTED. 

• What types of tickets are there?

  

• What are recommended items to bring to the Airshow?

  Portable chairs, strollers, cameras, sunscreen, earplugs or ear protection, blankets and handheld umbrellas (depending on forecast) are items air show veterans tend to pack.

• Where will I sit?

  EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO WALK AROUND THE ENTIRE AIRSHOW GROUNDS NO MATTER WHAT TYPE OF TICKET YOU HAVE. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO STAY IN YOUR CAR OR NEXT TO YOUR CAR IF YOU PURCHASE A TAILGATE TICKET.

  • GENERAL ADMISSION – BRING YOUR OWN SEATING AVAILABLE IN THE GENERAL ADMISSION VIEWING AREAS – OPEN TO ALL PATRONS – BRING YOUR OWN CHAIRS
  • DRIVE-IN/TAILGATING  – SEATING IN YOUR TAILGATING SPOT – RED & BLUE AREAS. HANDICAPPED AND OVERSIZE VEHICLES WILL PARK IN THE LAST ROW OF THE BLUE TAILGATING SECTION.
  • PUBLIC CAMPING – SEATING AT THE PUBLIC CAMPING AREA
  • GOLD SPONSORS – Cannot be purchased by General Public – SPONSORS ONLY – SEATING IN YOUR TAILGATING SPOT – GOLD SECTION AT SHOWLINE IN FRONT OF TAILGATE PARKING AREA
  • TOP GUN TENT – SEATING AT TOP GUN TENT
• Where will I park?
  • GENERAL ADMISSION PARKING – PURPLE – IN THE FIELD NORTH OF ADMISSIONS GATES 
  • HANDICAPPED GENERAL ADMISSION PARKING – THE WEST SIDE OF GENERAL ADMISSION PARKING AREA CLOSEST TO THE SHOW AREA
  • TAILGATE AREA – GOLD SECTION (SPONSORS ONLY – NOT AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE) – IN THE FIELD AT THE SHOWLINE EAST OF TAXIWAY ALPHA
  • TAILGATE AREA – RED, & BLUE AREAS – IN FIELD BEHIND GOLD LINE EAST OF TAXIWAY ALPHA
  • HANDICAPPED TAILGATE AREA – REAR OF TAILGATE AREA ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE TAILGATE PARKING NEAR RESTROOMS & FOOD VENDORS
  • TOP GUN TENT – PARKING @ TOP GUN TENT
• How can members visit the Airshow with their membership benefit?

  National Warplane Museum Members are ALWAYS welcome at the airshow as our guests!  FRIDAY – Friday is airshow arrival and rehearsal day.  There is no formal program. On Friday, ONLY MEMBERS will be admitted.  The airfield and museum are NOT OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC on Friday. Friday is for Members only. ON FRIDAY – Members, please follow the Tailgate Signs.  On Friday ALL PARKING will be in the tailgating parking area on a FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS. Show your membership card OR a membership confirmation email at the Admission Gates.

  ON SATURDAY & SUNDAY – Members, please follow the GENERAL ADMISSION SIGNS for your free admission, UNLESS you have PURCHASED a TAILGATING TICKET. Show your membership card OR a membership confirmation email at the Admissions Gates for General Admission access.

  Become a member at: https://nationalwarplanemuseum.com/membership/ and click on Join Now!

• Are the Airshow performances the same on both days?

  Yes. The performers and time slots Saturday are repeated Sunday. Please note, however, that scheduled events, performers, teams and activities are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice. Weather, mechanical conditions and medical issues are all factors that may force a team and/or performer to adjust and/or cancel their performance. Performer cancellation does not qualify for a ticket refund. 

• Can I bring my own food and drinks?

  Sure! You can bring prepared items, because no cooking or heating of food is allowed. Also, no glass containers and no alcohol are allowed, please. There will be a variety of food and beverage vendors on the grounds.

• How many people can be in my vehicle with a tailgating ticket?

  Your tailgate area ticket covers admission for everyone in the vehicle. You can have as many people as the number of seat belts in your vehicle. This is for safety as well as for your group’s viewing enjoyment.

• What if I have an oversized vehicle?

  For small RVs and other oversized vehicles — those larger than standard cars, pickups, or SUVs — you buy a ticket for the OVERSIZE Zone Ticket and will park in the rear of the tailgate blue area.

• What can I bring to the Airshow?

  You are welcome to bring: 

  • Tables, chairs, or blankets 
  • Small personal golf umbrellas up to 60 inches across 
  • Coolers, including food and beverages (NO ALCOHOL OR GLASS PLEASE) 
  • Certified Service animals (please pickup after your animals).  DO NOT leave animals unattended inside vehicles as temperatures on the field quickly heat up the inside of vehicles even if you leave your windows open.
• Are pets allowed?

  For the safety of attendees and the animals, pets are not allowed on show grounds. Certified service animals are permitted, this does not include companion animals. Air shows are not pet friendly environments.

• What items are prohibited at the Airshow?

  Prohibited items include: Generators, Glass containers, POP-UP or Pole Tents, Beach Umbrellas, Grills or BBQ Equipment of any type, Animals – except for certified service animals, Golf carts, ATVs, Bicycles, Skates, Skateboards, and Roller Blades, Drones, Kites, Alcohol, Narcotics, other illegal drugs or vaping products, Guns or Firearms or any other weapons.  Reminder: NO SMOKING, VAPING OR DRUG USE ANYWHERE ON THE AIRSHOW GROUNDS

• How will I be checked in?

  Your ticket will be scanned as you drive through the admissions gates and out into the field. Have it ready – either a printout or with the ticket image ready on your phone. The parking staff will guide you to the next available parking spot in your designated area.

• Can I pick my own parking spot? What if I want to park with my friends?

  Unfortunately, with hundreds or cars, that’s not practical. It would create severe traffic issues. We cannot reserve a specific parking space in either the Tailgate or General admission areas. Please follow ALL parking attendant directions. If you want to park beside friends or family another car, meet outside the airshow grounds and drive into the airshow grounds together. There is no saving of parking spots in the airshow parking areas.

• For tailgate parking, do I have to stay in my vehicle the whole time?

  You are NOT required to stay in your private viewing area the entire time and everyone is free to roam the grounds so long as they remain outside of restricted areas. In the Tailgate area, please respect your neighbors. The GA Viewing Area is first come, first served, so you are free to set up anywhere in the GA Viewing Area.

• Will there be restrooms?

  Sanitized portable toilets will be located at the rear of the viewing areas and throughout the airshow grounds. Handicap Accessible units will also be provided. All units will be sanitized regularly each day.

• Can I keep my engine running in the tailgate area?

  Please keep your engine use to a minimum. Also, headlights and parking lights must be KEPT OFF at all times. If you have car trouble or an emergency, please notify a roving security officer or parking attendant of an emergency or other situation.  Please call 911 for any serious or life threatening emergency.

• Where is the lost and found?

  The Lost & Found will be located at the Museum Information & Membership Tent located outside of Swanson Hall.

• Can I smoke or vape in my private viewing area?

  NO.  Not even in your vehicle. There is NO SMOKING OR VAPING allowed anywhere at the Geneseo Airshow. 

• Can I play music?

  No loud music, please – don’t disturb people nearby who want to enjoy the show. We will be playing music and having a live singing performance throughout the day. The airshow also has its own dedicated broadcast signal that you can hear on-site on any radio tuned to 87.9 FM.

• How can I listen to the Airshow?

  There are two ways: 

  • Loudspeakers are positioned throughout the Tailgate and the GA areas. 
  • The airshow also has its own broadcast signal that you can hear on-site on any radio tuned to 87.9 FM.
• Should I wear ear protection? Should my kids?

  Yes, earplugs or noise suppression ear muffs are highly recommended – especially for children.

• Will we be able to buy souvenirs and is the museum open?

  Yes. The Museum Gift shop and the Museum Display areas will be open. Other vendors will also be located throughout the airshow grounds.

• Can I visit the performing aircraft?

  Yes. You are free to visit all of our performing aircraft. Please follow directions of all Flightline and Security Personnel. We share and value that hometown feel as much as you do. We have maintained our legacy of having an open flightline on the field, walking amongst the aircraft, meeting the performers, crews and volunteers who make it all possible. You can view the show from any open area on the field and every open public area offers its own unique vantage point allowing you to witness the history, wonder and awe of aviation.

• Where can I find the schedule of events?

  The exact flight schedule is not released until AFTER the pilot’s briefing each day for safety and security reasons.  This also allows for the most up to date weather conditions and other important factors to be considered. Visit www.nationalwarplanemuseum.com/airshow or the OFFICIAL National Warplane Museum – Geneseo Airshow page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/warplanemuseum prior to and during the event.

• What if I have to leave before the Airshow ends?

  Notify a parking attendant or roving security officer before moving your vehicle from the Tailgate area. GA parking may leave at any time. Please note that there is no re-admittance once you leave.

• May I cancel or receive a refund for my tickets?

  No. Should any local, state, federal, military, or FAA entities determine we cannot host the airshow due to matters beyond our control – such as weather or other acts of God – your ticket will be honored at the next show. You are able to transfer your ticket to another party or change your day of attendance through the Eventsprout ticketing portal.

• Will the Airshow performances take place if it rains?

  The tailgaters in 2021 loved being with their vehicles when it got damp and drizzly. But, should it rain, performance times may change or the performers may modify their ceiling levels to work around weather. In the case of severe weather – especially lightning – you’ll be notified by FM radio and loudspeakers to remain inside your vehicle or to return to your vehicle from the GA area until the show is cleared to restart. Some performers may cancel if they determine it is unsafe for them to fly.

• What should I do if I have an EMERGENCY?

  Any person who is experiencing a serious or life threatening emergency should contact 911 and provide their location on the airfield to the dispatcher.  You are also able to report your emergency to any event personnel or security officer.  

• Is camping available?

  Self-contained Camping is available in a specified area on the airport grounds beginning at 4:00 pm Friday through 4:00 pm Sunday. The area is away from the normal drive-in viewing area, but still has a great view of the Airshow. Purchasing a Camping Ticket includes admission to both days of the airshow for everyone staying in your camper.

• Why do I have to pay to attend the Airshow?

  It is necessary for The National Warplane Museum – Geneseo Airshow to charge admission in order to offset the substantial costs associated with producing the event, including creating and maintaining the airport facilities, services provided, fees to the Department of Defense, performer fees, security, fencing, tents, sanitation, aircraft fuel, smoke oil, hotels, rental cars and food plus support services for all personnel/aircraft that participate in the event as well as the hundreds of volunteers that make this event possible. (This is an important contrast to Military Installation Open House/Air Show events that are able to offer FREE admission partly because the productions are publicly subsidized from government/taxpayer provided budgets.)

• How big is a tailgate parking space?

  A tailgate parking space is sized 20′ x 20′.  This is large enough to accommodate your vehicle and provides space to set up chairs or picnic while enjoying the show in your own dedicated space.  

• Can I purchase a GOLD ZONE or TOP GUN Ticket?

  Gold Zone Parking and Top Gun is reserved for our Airshow Sponsors.  To learn more about how to become a sponsor, visit https://nationalwarplanemuseum.com/become-a-sponsor/

  To inquire about Top Gun information, email [email protected]