Airshow Strategy Discussion
Heading to the Dubuque Air Show & Fireworks on July 3 with my girlfriend and two 11-year-old girls, and I'm hoping some veterans of this event can help us optimize our game plan.
I've done some research already, but I'm getting mixed information on a few things:
How early do we realistically need to arrive to get a prime viewing spot near show center?
Are 10x10 canopies allowed in the viewing area? If so, are there any unofficial etiquette rules (behind the front row, take them down before the show, etc.)?
How crowded does the riverfront get throughout the day? Do people start staking out spots at noon when parking opens, or much earlier?
Is there much to do between noon and the air show starting? We've seen that vendors don't open until later in the afternoon.
Are there any aircraft, military displays, or other exhibits that kids can walk through or interact with before the flying starts?
If your goal was the best possible all-day family setup, where exactly would you set up and why?
Any mistakes first-timers make that we should avoid?
We're planning a full "base camp" setup with chairs, cooler, wagon, shade, snacks, etc., and we'll be staying through the fireworks.
If you've attended in previous years, I'd especially love to hear:
- What time you arrived
- Whether you brought a canopy
- Whether you would do anything differently next time
Thanks!