The Rocky Mountain Renegades do a fly over during the opening performance at Saturday's annual Fremont County Airshow. Several individual Renegade members later performed solo routines for the enthusiastic crowd.
A crowd estimated at just under 4,000 packed the ramp at the Fremont County Airport to enjoy the annual airshow on Saturday. From toddlers to senior citizens, there was a variety of entertainment available especially when the aerobatic performers took to the sky above the airport. The Penrose Volunteer Fire Department sold out of their pancakes and sausage after serving a crowd of 600 for breakfast.
Aerobatic performers included the Rocky Mountain Renegades, Gary Rowler’s Super Stearman Aerobatics, Don Nelson in his Sukhoi 26, and a pair of drag races featuring Lanier Henry’s 2000 HP 1955 Chevy dragster.
Fremont County Commission Chairman Ed Norden took note of the superb organizational effort for the airshow by Airport Manager Richard Baker and the Airport Advisory Committee. Norden said special praise was in order for committee members Jim Woolworth and Chairman John Marietta who committed untold hours of work in organizing the airshow. Norden also said such an event is not possible without the commitment of a large contingent of volunteers who gave up their personal time to make the show possible.
Also integral to the show were the contributions by the airshow sponsors including Platinum Level sponsors Mark Greksa of the Royal Gorge Route Railroad and Armstrong Consultants of Grand Junction, Fremont County’s airport consultant.
Gold level sponsors included Canon National Bank, Canon Rental, the Daily Record, and Master Printers. Silver level sponsors were City Service Valcon, Holcim U.S., Mr. Rooter Plumbing, Rocky Mountain Materials, and True Value Hardware.
Part of the crowd of 3,800 people are shown enjoying the Rocky Mountain Renegades' performance Saturday. The show started at 12 noon Saturday following the Pioneer Day Parade earlier that morning in Florence.