EAA Airventure Oshkosh: What to Pack,Take and Wear

Many children accompany their parents to Airventure, the annual aviation celebration hosted by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) each summer in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. But you know what? It's like a summer camp for the adults. One you really like, surrounded by over half a million people you like (for the most part, anyway), who share many of your interests if you love anything related to aviation.

For one week each summer, you can have your fill of the sights and sounds of aviation. You can stop and look up when a plane---or a dozen planes---fly overhead, and if you look around you'll see that everyone else is doing it, too, which is s-o-o-o unlike almost anywhere else. You can hear informal talks by aviation legends and icons, and perhaps even walk away with an autograph or two.

Keep in mind that a proper tour of Airventure usually requires a lot of walking or the use of one of the motorized scooters available for rent near the main gate. You will be spending a lot of time outside, often under conditions of high heat and humidity. If you are wondering what to pack for a visit to Airventure, here are some suggestions:

• Comfortable walking shoes. Pack a pair of really comfortable, well-cushioned, broken-in walking shoes and bring cushioned socks.
  
• A water bottle --- Fill it at one of the water stops outside of the main gate, and keep it filled throughout day.
  
• Sunscreen/insect repellent and lip balm.
  
• Hat or cap.
  
• Small first aid kit, with any prescription medications, aspirin, ibuprofen, bandages and hand sanitizer.
  
• A travel pack of tissues.
  
• A disposable poncho.
  
• An extra pair of dry socks, in case it rains.
  
• A camera with extra batteries and memory cards---go digital for photography. Airventure veterans used to say bring lots of extra film, but now it's easier to just go digital.
  
• Sunglasses.
  
• Money and a credit card.
  
• A cell phone---To keep up with others in your group or to call a cab, if necessary (put the number on speed dial---in 2008 the number for 24-hour taxi service from Oshkosh City Cab was 920/235-7000).
  
• Comfortable, loose-fitting clothes---probably clothes appropriate for hot weather, but pack a sweatshirt and long pants for cold weather, and a jacket, just in case.
  
• A small flashlight or light sticks for walking to and from events at Theater in the Woods or the Fly-In Theater after dark.
  
• A lightweight, folding outdoor chair.
  
• A fanny pack or small, light,rucksack/backpack/gympack.

  If you are wondering what and where to eat, there are a number of food concession stands on the grounds that feature mostly beef brats, pizza and hamburgers. If you want much more than that, you will need to leave the airport grounds and head for a restaurant.

  Alcohol is not allowed on the grounds, but some spots nearby sell beer, and the

  Hilton Garden Inn, located just off the airport property, has a nice upscale sort of bar as well as a small restaurant.

  The seaplane base is too cool. It is well worth the bus trip (at a nominal charge) from the main grounds. The scene is like a Monet painting of people in the park on a Sunday afternoon, and the shade is a welcome change from the main grounds at the airport. In 2008, the seaplane base featured a stand selling corn-on-the-cob, too, if you get the craving for a vegetable that is not served in chip form.

  Tired of the porta-potties? Need an air-conditioned break? Take a shuttle bus to the EAA Museum. While there, check out the EAA library.

  If you want to check your email or flight reservation, there are computer stations available at the AOPA tent (but be sure to bring your AOPA membership card).

  Not sure where to stay? EAA claims that they have never run out of room at Camp Scholler, located on the Wittman airport grounds. Another more sheltered "camping" option is the 20th Avenue YMCA three miles away. For more information on the YMCA option, read Indoor YMCA Camping at EAA Airventure Oshkosh, http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1210034/indoor_ymca_camping_during_eaa_airventure.html?cat=16.

  Now, relax and get ready to enjoy the air shows!

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