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AirVenture 2021: The great Oshkosh Airshow

| Updated Feb 4, 2021

AirVenture bills itself as the “World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” but it's more commonly known as the Oshkosh Airshow!

And after being canceled last year, it is most definitely on this year with the 2021 dates set as July 26 – Aug. 1.

Jennifer and I travel about ¾ of the year, which means we are always in search of new places to see and experiences to have. 

So, I would like to extend a thank you to James and Susan Massey for suggesting the Oshkosh Airshow as a unique RVing idea to add to our travel itinerary! 

We've had other friends tell us about this event, too, and as we've checked into it, we've put it on our bucket list for 2021.

The Oshkosh Airshow makes for a perfect RV trip

On the surface, the AirVenture 2021 event might not seem related to RVing since it's an event that brings together aviation enthusiasts from all over. 

In reality, however, it's a one-of-a-kind RV experience that would make an excellent addition to your upcoming travel plans. 

What is EAA and the AirVenture 2021 Event?

airventure

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) was founded in 1953 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by a group of people that were interested in building their own airplanes. It has grown into a large organization with a varied group of members, each with its own aviation interests and backgrounds. 

The EAA publishes an award-winning magazine that covers different aspects of aviation, membership in an organization that brings together aviation enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds, and helps advocate for and protect the right to fly. 

The EAA also puts on several events every year, most notably their annual Oshkosh Airshow

This weeklong event, held in July, attracts over 600,000 people every year. (The 2020 event was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but is back this year and scheduled for July 26-August 1.) 

Most years, over 20,000 pilots along with their airplanes attend the event. Many of them camp under the wings of their general aviation or vintage airplanes. 

In addition to aircraft, the event’s RV attendance is extraordinary. Camping vehicles rang from tent trailers to extreme Class A luxury motorcoaches, and everything in between. 

The visual RV experience is arguably as interesting as the aviation thread of the event! 

AirVenture 2021 is also a great RV Adventure

Many people go RVing for different reasons. Some like to challenge themselves with new adventures, others just go for fun or relaxation. 

But most can agree they’re seeking out new and different experiences, which is why trying out AirVenture 2021 would be a great event to add to your travel itinerary. 

This unique event offers many benefits!

Meet New and Interesting People at the AirVenture Oshkosh Airshow

Traveling always lends itself to meeting new people and hearing about their unique experiences. In fact, that has always been the appeal for me, both as a journalist and now as a working traveler. 

However, if you strictly RV in campgrounds, you likely meet the same types of new people. 

AirVenture 2021 introduces you to a whole new group of individuals: pilots and those that like the aviation lifestyle! They will have different and interesting stories to share about their experiences. You might make new lifelong friends from a different walk of life! 

Try Something New

Who can say that they’ve seen or RVed next to people camping underneath their airplane? Not many! 

Most people who like to travel and RV want to see something new. At least, that’s why Jennifer and I are always after. 

This event is a fun experience that most people have not had the privilege of being a part of. 

Checking Out Different Airplanes at the AirVenture Oshkosh Airshow

image of the Airventure Oshkosh Airshow
There is so much to see at the AirVenture Oshkosh Airshow

Do you love checking out different types of RVs when you're on the road? 

Not only does this event feature many types of RVs, but with over 20,000 planes flying in, you can check out different aviation crafts that you may have never seen before. 

From antiques, classics, and warbirds to ultralights and aerobatic aircraft, you’ll be sure to see some interesting aircraft!

Visiting a New State

If you are not from Wisconsin or have not yet visited the state, you can mark it off your bucket list. 

Wisconsin is considered “America’s Dairyland” since it produces more milk than any other state. What a great opportunity to try some of their famous cheese or frozen custard!

Not to mention the state itself is beautiful! We’ve loved our Great Lakes Shoreline Tour of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana.

RV Camping at AirVenture 2021 Oshkosh Airshow

Adjacent to the AirVenture grounds, Camp Scholler houses thousands of aviation enthusiasts every July. It’s the place where new friends meet and old friends reunite. Some event participants stay for the full weeklong schedule, while others only come for a day or so. 

The camp, named for early EAA supporters Ray and Bernice Scholler, offers individual sites for tents and vehicles of all sizes, including large RVs. 

While there are some sites offering water and electricity, and quality dumping services for RVs, most of the attendees are boon-docking. Designated camping areas also are available for those with disabilities, some with 24-hour generator use.   

Camp Scholler features several amenities including: 

  • Red One Markets and other food services, 
  • new shower facilities, 
  • free public Wi-Fi hotspots, 
  • on-site laundry, 
  • access to evening events, 
  • an RV pumping station, 
  • portable pumping services, 
  • and much more!

A three-day minimum is required and at least one person in your party must be an EAA member.

Additional Event Information about the AirVenture Oshkosh Airshow

Does AirVenture 2021 sound like an event you might be interested in checking out?

If so, here is the additional event information: 

As someone who has traveled for work and pleasure for most of my adult life, I always appreciate new adventures to experience. I have been all over the United States, both on and off the grid. 

That is why I appreciate it when something new comes across my travel radar. 

Please Share Your AirVenture Oshkosh Airshow Recommendations

If it wasn’t for a reader just like you, we wouldn’t even know about AirVenture 2021. So, please, share your favorite events in the comments below so we can share them with our fellow RVers!

Looking for more ideas for road trips?

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Mike Wendland

Published on 2021-02-04

Mike Wendland is a multiple Emmy-award-winning Journalist, Podcaster, YouTuber, and Blogger, who has traveled with his wife, Jennifer, all over North America in an RV, sharing adventures and reviewing RV, Camping, Outdoor, Travel and Tech Gear for the past 12 years. They are leading industry experts in RV living and have written 18 travel books.

5 Responses to “AirVenture 2021: The great Oshkosh Airshow”

December 05, 2021at6:15 am, Epic Events To Add To Your RV Travel Plans | RV Lifestyle said:

[…] This air show features vintage aircraft, military jets, and night flights with fireworks. Airplane rides are also available. We did a post about this event AirVenture: The great Oshkosh Airshow […]

June 06, 2021at6:55 pm, John Reed said:

Mike and Jennifer,

Hope you have fun at Oshkosh. One thing I didn’t see in your comments and maybe you didn’t want to sound like you were endorsing one brand of aircraft, but one of the very popular brands of experimental (homebuilt) aircraft is Van’s Aircraft. The models are named RV-X, with the “X” being different models. For example, RV-3, RV-4, RV-6, RV-7, RV-8, RV-9, RV-10, RV-12, and RV-14. Collectively they are commonly known as “RVs”. Van’s Aircraft will have a large display of their aircraft and there will be a huge number of RV owners flying their RVs in for AirVenture. The RVs usually have a huge formation flyby during the event also.

RV Lifestyle has a different meaning for these Van’s Aircraft owners!

John

February 05, 2021at8:59 pm, Tom hopkins said:

Hi Mike. I have attended Oshkosh EAA SHOW several times but never camped at the show. Also went to Rockford IL years before Oshkosh it is an awesome event and you will love it. Check out the special air show events awesome 4 sure. Dont forget lots of sunscreen! Let me know if you decide to go and I can maybe drive up for the day?
Tom Hopkins.

February 04, 2021at10:25 am, John Cawthorne said:

Mike,
Not enough room here for the advice you need.
Do a lot of preliminary research on where you want to camp and come early to get the area you want. We come a minimum of 3 days ahead. Some fields get pretty muddy if it rains and you might get stuck.

The electric spots are gone before the show and are paid for by day from the day you reserve, good luck with that!

You will not be camping next to someone sleeping under a wing, maybe a mile away. That was maybe the 70’s.

Plan to be self sufficient for the time you are there and not leave your spot. It will get taken unless you leave armed militia guarding it. Chairs are not enough.

Take a Trimotor ride.

Dont miss Pioneer field, the museum, the ultralight area and the seaplane base.

See one of the evening movies.

Go to the flightline to see the mid or end of show fireworks, where else will you see fireworks performed with aerobatic airplanes spouting fireworks?

Pay attention to what’s happening where and when so you don’t miss something interesting like the STOL contest.

Get familiar with the shuttle routes early.

Be prepared for sensory and aviation overload.

Have a great time!

John

February 04, 2021at9:24 am, eric humphreys said:

Mike interesting that you should be recommending visiting Oshkosh which i suggested to you early last year, i also recommended attending at least one NHRA championship round of drag racing.
YES its incredibly noisy but it has to go down as one of life’s real experiences.
Further on the aircraft front you Americans have some wonderful aircraft museums.

Lets hope you folks get the chance to actually enjoy this 2021 year

Comments are closed.

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