I like this. It saves three hours of driving and a sweltering day surrounded by way too many people.
We hung out at Rock the Ramp 2024 at Middleton Municipal Airport tonight. It was our second year in a row and, I believe, our third year overall (I think we were rained out once.)
I’m starting to love this event as it steadily improves year after year. In addition to the food vendors and music that have always been there, this year the air show portion was expanded to four separate displays, making it more of a central attraction than it has been in the past. When you throw in the face painting tent, which is absolutely critical, you end up with a family friendly experience that everybody seems to enjoy at least a little bit.
My favorite part is that Rock the Ramp has sort of released me from the need to spend a day at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh every year. Rock the Ramp is a “kickoff” event for that show. It has the same festive atmosphere, but it’s less than half an hours’ drive from my home, it’s of a more limited and manageable scope, and it only occupies a few hours of a single evening.
When compared to AirVenture, with two ninety minute drives involved, a mind boggling scope sprawling over multiple square miles, far too many people for my taste, and (usually) relentless midday heat, Rock the Ramp is the clear winner for me. It is where the happiness-to-aggravation ratio is at its maximum.
I’m sure I’ll visit AirVenture from time to time in the future. Especially if the ladies show some interest in it. There are things to see there that you don’t see here or anywhere else. But Rock the Ramp has become the “every year must-go” for me.
Thank you, Capital Flight! See you on July 18th, 2025.
