With the Centennial of Powered Flight rapidly approaching, all of Ohio is gearing up to celebrate. Ohio's major cities are all hosting major aviation events for the summer, with the nucleus centered at the birthplace of aviation: Dayton, Ohio. Most activities begin this July and finish towards the end of summer in September. Here is a run-down of just some of the events taking place in Ohio:

Dayton

The Vectren Dayton Air Show
This annual event promises to be the best ever in 2003. Headlining the show this year are performances by the Navy Blue Angels, the Air Force Thuderbirds, and the Canadian Air Force Snow Birds. Also included in the 3-day event are various acrobatic and military aircraft demonstrations, as well as hundreds of static displays of military and commercial aircraft. The air show is held at the Dayton James M. Cox International Airport, a few miles north of Dayton in Vandalia. Information about the displays to be featured, directions, and parking are available at:
http://www.daytonairshow.com/html/marketing.asp

Deeds Point/Celebration Central
At the confluence of the Great Miami River and the Mad River in downtown Dayton, this park will feature various displays and shows celebrating the centennial celebration. Events will take place there throughout the entire month of July. All information pertaining to the Centennial of Flight celebrations, the air show, and other aviation events around Dayton can be found at:
http://www.inventingflight.org

The US Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
A must-see for any aviation enthusiast. This incredible museum is free to the public and chronicals aviation from it's earliest stages to well into the future. Various displays are available for viewing both indoors and outdoors. The museum also features an IMAX theater. More information can be found at:
http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/

Columbus

Airliners International 2003
This year's annual Airliners International Convention, widely recognized as the premier commercial airline collectible event is going to be held in Ohio's capital city. The 3-day show takes place the weekend of July 10-12 at the Columbus Convention Center downtown. In addition to the convention downtown, Airliners International is also sponsoring various aviation-related tours around Columbus, including a sneak-peak into the recently constructed ATC facility and tower at Port Columbus International Airport. More information concerning the convention can be found at:
http://www.ai2003.com

Cleveland

Cleveland National Airshow
Held at the Burke Lakefront Airport providing an incredible backdrop with Lake Erie on one side and the skyscrapers of downtown Cleveland on the other, the Cleveland National Airshow is a spectacular sight. Featured this year is the Navy Blue Angels as well as many other flight demonstrations and static displays. The Cleveland Airshow takes place during the last week of August. For much more information about Cleveland's annual presentation, visit:
http://www.clevelandairshow.com/

Toledo

Toledo Air Show
The Glass City's annual contribution to the wonders of aviation takes place during the first weekend in September. The show, held at Toledo's Toledo Express Airport includes performances by the Navy Blue Angels and several acrobatic, military, and skydiving demonstrations. The event features and extremely impressive static display, featuring many military and commercial aircraft. More information about the event can be found at:
http://www.toledochamber.com/AirShow/

Overall, this year looks to be an impressive year for Ohio and aviation as we celebrate 100 years of powered flight.