Airshow organizers estimate weekend event broke attendance records

The organizers for the Sioux Falls Airshow say they think more people came out to the event last weekend than ever before.

"We're pretty confident we set records for attendance," said event chair Rick Tupper, who estimated there were well over 100,000 people between Saturday and Sunday.

Three attendees flew all the way from Japan, said vice chair Chuck Nelson — a group that chooses one U.S. airshow every year to visit.

"When we have that kind of reputation, that says something," Nelson said.

Many of those people likely came because the airshow was free — something made possible by local sponsors and a record-breaking amount of fundraising.

And of course, there was the weather.

"It was incredible," Nelson said. "I've been doing airshows since 1983, and I don't recall the weather ever being this good."

Both agreed it all added up to an incredible show, anchored by the first appearance of the United States Air Force Thunderbirds at the airshow since 2003.

Tupper also gave a special mention to the Royal Canadian Air Force, who appeared at the airshow in their sole appearance in the U.S. this year.

“It’s a community effort," Nelson said. "It’s exciting to see an event of this magnitude come together and work so well.”

With 2019's show in the rear-view mirror, Tupper said he already sent an email today regarding the 2022 event — the paperwork has to be done two years in advance, so there's not a lot of time for rest.

"I like to joke that it takes us about a year to forget how tired we all are," Tupper said, "and then we get ready to do it again."