By Audrey Seilheimer
Back for a second year, the Vicksburg Fly-In is happening on August 23, 2025, from 7 a.m.-9 p.m. One of its organizers, Manny Chauhan, says it has even more to offer visitors and participants this year since hosting the first Fly-In in Vicksburg last summer.
That event raised over $5,000 for Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The event is once again being hosted at Thrall Lake in Vicksburg at the airstrip off Studebaker Ave. at 6281 W Avenue. Chauhan says this year the event will again raise funds for Vicksburg’s VFW Post 5189. But in addition, a donation will be made to Vicksburg High School.
Ticket prices doubled for entry for the public at $10 per person to come and enjoy the entire Fly-In festival this year. The event is free for veterans and children under 17.
Organizers are offering even more at the Thrall Lake site for families, visitors, aviation and paramotor enthusiasts, local pilots and vintage car collectors. The event will offer ample room for participants – car show participants may register for the event for $20. Public visitors to the Fly-In will enjoy hot air balloons, RC cars, live music, inflatables, local food vendors, and a silent auction with prize packages from sponsors, including the chance to win a tandem flight experience.
Vendor booths and event apparel will also be available near the registration tent. Jess Hanstein will once again be welcoming participants and visitors and tracking how far participants have flown in to participate.
“It’s a great event for local plane owners but it also offers so much for families with our expanded runway and experiences this year. We are anticipating a really fun community event where car lovers, plane lovers, curious aspiring pilots or those who just want to see a hot air ballon up close will leave with fun memories,” Hanstein said.
The event was founded by Alexis Quintana and Chauhan, partners from Leading Edge PPG, an aviation training school with services in Three Rivers and Schoolcraft.
The event starts at 7 a.m. with a Breakfast Fly-In. There will be plenty of great planes to view and discover.
Coordinates for the Fly-In for the Airport are
7MI3 MultiCom Frequency 122.9
Runway 3500ft by 100ft —Lat/Long
42-07-00.1650N 085-30-59.9870W
42-07.002750N 085-30.999783W
42.1167125, -85.5166631
Learn more at Vicksburgflyin.com.
