Mark your calendars: the Airshow of the Cascades returns to Madras Municipal Airport on Friday and Saturday, August 28–29, 2026, and organizers say this year's event is shaping up to be one of the best yet.

The two-day festival — one of only three major air shows in all of Oregon — draws an estimated 20,000 attendees each year and has been a Jefferson County tradition for more than two decades, missing only one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year's show features the usual hallmarks: military aircraft, precision aerobatics, historic planes, a car show, live music, food vendors, and family-friendly activities from morning until dusk.

More Than Just an Air Show

Event organizers are quick to point out that the Airshow of the Cascades is as much a community festival as it is an aviation spectacle — and that distinction matters.

"They have no music," said Rick Allen, secretary-treasurer of the airshow's nonprofit board, speaking of competing Oregon events. "We have live music and a whole festival atmosphere."

The Erickson Aircraft Collection, a perennial crowd favorite, is expected to return with its fleet of rare and meticulously restored warbirds. Organizers also invite pilots and owners of unique or historic aircraft to fly in and display their machines for the public.

A Regional Draw — With Deep Local Roots

While more than half of attendees typically come from Deschutes and Crook counties, the airshow attracts visitors from across the Pacific Northwest and well beyond. Last year, Allen said, guests came from 15 or 16 different states.

Still, Allen is careful not to overstate the event's size relative to other Jefferson County traditions.

"I was always careful because county fairs are significant to any community," he said — a nod to the Jefferson County Fair and Rodeo, which also took place this summer despite the challenges posed by nearby wildfires.

The nonprofit board and a dedicated team of volunteers spend much of the year preparing for the show, which has grown steadily in scope and attendance since its founding.

What to Know Before You Go

  • Dates: August 28–29, 2026
  • Location: Madras Municipal Airport
  • Tickets and details: cascadeairshow.com
  • Note: The VFW Rifle Raffle drawing is scheduled to take place during the airshow — tickets at the chamber office or from any VFW member.

With the county coming off a difficult summer of wildfire activity and drought, the airshow offers a welcome reason to gather and celebrate. Madras businesses are expected to see a boost in traffic the weekend of the event.