The 2023 Cleveland National Air Show took place over Labor Day weekend, from September 2 to 4, at Burke Lakefront Airport in downtown Cleveland. This long- standing event, nearly 60 years old, featured a variety of aerial and ground performances for spectators
. Key highlights of the 2023 show included:
- The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds headlining the event, celebrating their 70th year of performances
- Military jet demonstrations including the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor, U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier (one of only two shows featuring the Harrier this year), and the U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet, which was notably featured in the movie Top Gun: Maverick
- Aerobatic performances by Patty Wagstaff, a three-time U.S. National Aerobatics Champion, and the AeroShell Aerobatic Team
- For the first time, a Mini Jet performance by Tom Larkin was included
- Ground activities such as exploring aircraft interiors, meeting pilots, STEM-based educational displays, and food concessions
The event ran daily from 9 a.m. with gates opening, and featured a packed schedule of demonstrations and shows until the gates closed at 3 p.m. on the final day
. Tickets and on-site parking were only available for purchase online in advance; no gate sales were allowed
. Overall, the 2023 Cleveland National Air Show offered a thrilling mix of historic and modern military aircraft, aerobatics, and interactive experiences for aviation enthusiasts and families alike
