Summer is winding down, but Madras is about to get loud. The 2026 Airshow of the Cascades returns to the Madras Municipal Airport on August 28–29, with a pre-show kickoff festival on the evening of Thursday, August 27.

Now in its third decade, the airshow has grown from a small gathering of biplanes into one of the largest public events in Central Oregon, drawing an estimated 20,000 attendees from across the region and beyond. Organizers say last year visitors came from at least 15 or 16 different states.

What to Expect in the Sky

Around seven acts are scheduled to perform over two hours of flying time each day. Highlights include:

  • Patriots Jet Team — A high-energy aerobatic jet demonstration with colored smoke and close-formation maneuvers. Board member Dustin Miller called them "loud and fast" and "an amazing show to watch."
  • Undaunted Airshows — A two-pilot duo delivering synchronized aerobatics, opposing passes, smoke, and speed.
  • Torrey Ward — A pilot with more than 14,000 hours in the air and four decades of flying experience, performing in a microjet.
  • Yuichi Takagi — Performing in a classic Pitts Special biplane.

It's a Festival, Too

Organizers have long emphasized that the Airshow of the Cascades is a festival, not just a flight demonstration — and this year is no different. Two live music stages are set up throughout the grounds, a distinction that sets this show apart from the other two major Oregon airshows (Hillsboro and McMinnville, which have no live music).

The pre-show on the evening of August 27 kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with Precious Byrd and Marzeles Music performing. Food and drink vendors will be on-site throughout the event.

Attendees will also have rare access to the Erickson Aircraft Collection, the renowned Madras-based museum that has been closed to the public for an extended period while aircraft undergo repairs. Each year, the museum brings three or so aircraft to the show for display and even flies a few during the event — making the airshow the only public opportunity to see the collection in 2026.

Community Roots Run Deep

The airshow is organized by a nonprofit board and staffed almost entirely by volunteers. Local organizations — including the Madras High School wrestling club, Boy Scouts, FFA, and 4-H clubs — contribute volunteer hours and receive financial donations in return.

"The amount of people that volunteer their time to make this possible is truly amazing," said board member Dustin Miller.

Board secretary-treasurer Rick Allen, who has been involved with the show for years, noted that the organization is actively looking for the next generation of community members to step into planning and leadership roles as the current board ages out.

Plan Your Visit

The Madras Municipal Airport is located at 2028 NW Berg Dr., Madras. Tickets and additional information — including the full performance schedule and vendor list — are available at cascadeairshow.com. The VFW is also holding a rifle raffle during the airshow weekend, with proceeds going toward local youth programs and scholarships.