MONROE

A few years back, a group of concerned residents got together to figure out how to best honor and pay tribute to area veterans. Unsure of exactly where to begin, the group decided to organize a World War II-themed hangar dance at the Charlotte-Monroe Executive Airport. And while the hangar dance has continued to grow each year, the group began adding on other aviation elements to the celebration, which has led to the evolution of the Warriors and Warbirds Air Show.

On Nov. 7-8, as many as 70,000 people are expected to converge on Monroe’s airport.

“We are so proud to be able to put on this show not only for fans of air shows, but in honor of the veterans who have served this country,” event co-organizer Bob Russell said in a press release. “We really want families to come out to learn a little history by seeing the displays and performers as well as talking to the pilots and veterans.”

Scheduled to fly during this year’s show is the Flying Fortress B-17 Bomber “The Memphis Belle.” It will be accompanied by three B-25 bombers. This year’s show will also feature pyrotechnics throughout the performances by Tora! Tora! Tora! team that performed last year.

In addition to the bombers, this year’s slate of performers includes the Trojan Horseman’s group of aerial acrobatics, the C-54 Spirit of Freedom, an A-26, a C-47, a B-25, a P-51, a Stearman, a FW149, a Helldiver, P-3s, T-28s, TBM Avenger/Dauntless, skydivers and flag presentations and more.

“This show will have a little bit of everything for everybody,” city spokesman Pete Hovanec said in the release “We have every flagship aircraft of the World War II era as well as a huge children’s area, great food vendors and so many true American heroes that have proudly served our country.”

Aside from the performers, the weekend event will feature an original Tuskegee Airman, vintage static planes and vehicles, a JROTC drill competition, helicopter rides, food concessions and entertainment. There will also be Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) on hand to share their military experiences.

The hangar dance, the backbone of the event, is also bigger this year. The Reflection Band will play swing music and Eric and Stephanie Simpson with Lovin’ Lindy will provide free swing dance lessons Saturday night.

Astronaut Joe Edwards will once again be the guest speaker for the event. He piloted the last American crew member to the Russian Mir space station and holds world records for flying the greatest mass in earth orbit and for flying the most humans in space simultaneously.

Visitors to the show will be able to park in the parking lots of businesses along Airport Road, at SPCC, along Capitol Drive, as well as in the grass lot at the corner of Old Charlotte Highway and Airport Road, and on the grass lot at Rocky River Road at the AeroPoint Industrial Centre. There will be several buses picking spectators up at the various locations to make it easier for people to get in and out.

Charlotte-Monroe Executive Airport will open at 9 a.m. each day with performers hitting the skies at noon. Smoking, pets and coolers will not be allowed. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for veterans. Children under 18 will be admitted free.

More information about the event can be found at www.warriorsandwarbirds.com.