Look to the Skies! Southern Illinois Air Shows for 2010

June 11-13. Warbirds Over the Wabash at the Mid-American Air Center in Lawrenceville. Remote Control Fly-In of model military aircraft, scale replicas of aircraft dating from WWI biplanes to ultra-modern jet fighters. Bring lawn chair. Free. For information, contact Bill Gavic, vice president, Tri County Aero Club at gavic@cinergymetro.net. Lawrenceville.

Aug 20-22. Centralia Balloonfest 2010. Dozens of colorful hot air balloons fill the sky each year at Centralia's Foundation Park where visitors can watch the balloon races, the evening balloon glows, root for the entries in the annual cardboard boat regatta, catch the bands and other musical entertainment, sample the food, and enjoy various other activities. For information go to www.CentraliaBallloonFest.com Centralia.

Sep 10-12 KR Gathering 2010. At Mt Vernon Outland Airport. Homebuilt Rand Robinson Engineering experimental aircraft are highlighted at the fly-in with builders and pilots talking shop, exchanging ideas and tips. If You've been considering a kit-built plane, this is a good place to visit. Check out the website at http://www.krgathering.org. Mt Vernon.

Sep 11-12. 2010 Scott Air Force Base Air Show. The premiere air event in Southern Illinois. This year's air show features the Navy Blue Angels precision flying demonstration team flying F/A-18 Hornets along with the return of Tora-Tora-Tora, the Pearl Harbor reenactment featuring authentic replicas of Japanese aircraft that were used in the movies Tora-Tora-Tora and Pearl Harbor. There will also be the F-15 Strike Eagle Demonstration Team, Randy Ball's Korean War era Russian MiG-17, T-33 Shooting Star, and much more. In fact, the event features numerous flybys of aerobatic demonstrators, modern military aircraft as well as classic warbirds from World War II and Korea, as well as static displays and walk-throughs of the huge cargo-carrying aircraft based at Scott. There will also be the Golden Knights parachute team, plenty of vendors, educational displays in the hangar, World War II reenacters with vintage military vehicles, and plenty of other family-friendly entertainment. Free. Belleville.

Sep 23-24. 2d Annual Midwest LSA Expo at Mt Vernon Outland Airport. Focus is on light sport aircraft with educational presentations on all aspects of LSA aircraft. For more information, go to http://www.mtvernonairport.com/. Mt Vernon

Oct 16. 14th Annual Little Egypt Fly-In and Veterans Reunion. A joint event with veterans activities in the terminal while the fly-in, naturally, will be outside. The event at Mt Vernon Outland Airport always features several warbirds and other aircraft with aerial performances and static displays. Youngsters can sign up for their free Eagle Flights. Aircraft tours, food, souvenirs available. Starts at 9am with activities throughout the day. Mt Vernon.

Note: The Cascade of Colors at Southern Illinois Airport, Murprysyboro-Carbondale has been suspended.