Deke Slayton Air fest developed out of a Father's day, Sunday Pancake Breakfast that was started by the La Crosse Area Flyers Club. The Flyers Club would put on a breakfast with air rides, and flybys, eventually inviting a military Tactical Demo Team to bring more excitement to the event.

Many individuals thought that it would be more exciting to bring a complete Air show to the La Crosse area. It wasn't until one person brought the Air show idea to Tim Colgan from Colgan Air Service that the idea began to develope. Karl Krueger from Sparta, WI who was a aviation minded individual, suggested that the event be named after our areas most famous astronaut. Donald K. (Deke) Slayton was raised in Leon, WI which is just south of Sparta, WI.

This year is the 10th anniversary of the Air Fest. And featured the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. http://www.airfest.com

In additional to the photos I took at this year show. My friend and fellow aviation photographer Max Haynes did a photos essay on the Deke Slayton Air fest .


His website Max Air2Air Pictures Is an online magazine of aviation photography.
If you enjoy aviation photos and stories, stop by and take a look.

And let Max know that I sent you over...