Soaring Over the Souris: Large crowd attends Minot air show

Throngs of people came from all directions to the Soaring Over the Souris air show Wednesday afternoon at the Minot International Airport to celebrate the Fourth of July under blue skies and warm temperatures.

There were static displays of a Blackhawk helicopter from the North Dakota National Guard, a UH-1N "Huey" helicopter from the Minot Air Force Base and many vehicles used during flood recovery. There were also classic cars on display and a long row of food vendors selling numerous types of carnival fare.

One family set up a booth with a Ford tractor painted pink and a sign asking, "Do you think my tractor is sexy?" with pink boxes for yes and no votes. People could pay a dollar and vote yes or no, and ironically, no one had voted no. The vote is a fundraiser the family does to raise money for various causes, and this time the proceeds would go toward Minot's flood recovery.

Article Photos

Tim Chapman/MDN • The Snowbirds begin a maneuver intended to look like an exploding firework Wednesday at the Soaring Over the Souris airshow at the Minot International Airport in Minot.

Jill Hambek/MDN • P-51 “Dakota Kid II” flew in the Soaring Over the Souris air show on Wednesday at the Minot International Airport.

Jill Hambek/MDN • A long line of people wait to place their orders at one of the many concession stands at the air show on Wednesday. There were a number of stands selling carnival-type food and drinks with proceeds going toward Minot’s flood recovery.

Jill Hambek/MDN • A Ford tractor painted pink is used as a fundraiser. For a dollar, people can vote on whether they think the tractor is sexy or not. Proceeds go to Minot’s flood recovery.

Jill Hambek/MDN • Children play around a single engine plane at the air show. The plane was one of many static displays shown on Wednesday.

Jill Hambek/MDN • A sea of people sit in the field near the Minot International Airport Wednesday for the Soaring Over the Souris air show.

"Everyone who sees the pink tractor smiles," said one of the family members.

Gates to the air show event opened at 3 p.m. with static displays available for viewing, followed by a model aircraft show starting at 4 p.m., and the opening ceremony at 6 p.m. Following were skydivers, Kent Pietsch's comedy act, a B-52 fly-by, a UH-1N fly-by, the launching of the Snowbirds and Pietsch's dead stick performance. Also on the agenda was a dual show by Warren and Kent Pietsch as well as a solo by Warren Pietsch, Dan Dempsey and Hawk One, the Texas Flying Legends Museum warbird parade and a night show by Kent Pietsch. Fireworks closed out the night.

Admission to the air show was free, but proceeds from the concessions went toward the Minot Area Community Foundation for flood recovery. Free shuttle bus services were offered from ING, MLT and the Minot State University Dome parking lots.

People were encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. The air show was presented by the Dakota Territory Air Museum in Minot and the City of Minot.