Mark your calendar: the Airshow of the Cascades returns to Madras Municipal Airport on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 28-29, 2026 — and organizers are expecting another sellout crowd of roughly 20,000 aviation fans from across Central Oregon and beyond.
The event has been a Jefferson County tradition for more than two decades, having missed only a single year during the COVID-19 pandemic. What began as a modest gathering of vintage biplanes has grown into one of just three major air shows in Oregon, alongside events in Hillsboro and McMinnville.
What to Expect
Attendees can expect two full days of aviation excitement, including performances by aerobatic pilots, passes by historic warbirds operated by the Commemorative Air Force, and modern military and civilian aircraft displays. The show's backdrop — the high desert landscape of the Crooked River plateau with Mount Jefferson looming to the west — makes for some of the most visually dramatic air show viewing in the Pacific Northwest.
In addition to the flight performances, the event features live music, food vendors, and on-ground aircraft displays where visitors can get up close to machines that rarely leave their hangars.
The Team Behind the Show
The airshow is organized by a nonprofit board of directors led by longtime volunteers who spend much of the year preparing for the two-day event.
"It's evolved, and we've kept adding as attendance went up and interest went up," said Rick Allen, the board's secretary-treasurer.
Allen noted that the show draws comparisons to the Jefferson County Fair and Rodeo — also held in late summer — but the two events have comfortably coexisted and together define Jefferson County's late-summer social calendar.
Tickets and Information
- General admission and VIP chalets are available
- Chalet packages include fenced seating, tents, tables, and chairs for up to 24 guests
- Contact: (541) 475-0155 or admin@AirshowOfTheCascades.com
- More info at cascadeairshow.com
With wildfire smoke potentially lingering and the busy summer season winding down, the Airshow offers a welcome community celebration to close out August. Organizers encourage attendees to check air quality conditions before heading out and to arrive early as parking fills quickly.