‘Celebrating the Freedom of Flight’ part of weeklong activities
EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (February 26, 2026) — The heritage, innovation, and technological advances of aviation in the United States over the past century will be part of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026, the Experimental Aircraft Association’s annual fly-in convention, on July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
“’Celebrating the Freedom of Flight’ will focus on the unique role aviation has played in America’s progress since that first flight of the Wright brothers in 1903,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “Be it innovations by individuals or colossal accomplishments by the nation’s companies and our military, America’s leadership role in the progress of flight has been a remarkable part of our nation’s history that we’ll celebrate at Oshkosh.”
That focus at Air Venture will cover the more than 120 years since the first flights at Kitty Hawk, starting with the “Pioneers of Flight” exhibits and program covering powered aviation’s first 25 years, to the latest fighter jets, unmanned aircraft, and spaceflights that showcase cutting-edge technology. That theme will be represented on the main Boeing Plaza ramp and during the daily air shows, as well as in evening programming at Theater in the Woods and at the Fly-In Theater.
In addition, individual areas at EAA AirVenture will feature unique aspects of America’s preeminent role in aviation. That includes the remarkable civilian aviation progress represented by the “Class of ‘46” general aviation aircraft in the Vintage area and red, white, and blue paint schemes on amateur-built aircraft on the grounds.
“We see this theme evolving over the next several months as the showcase of American ingenuity through the decades comes together at Oshkosh,” Larsen said. “While the EAA fly-in convention has always been the gathering place for every segment of aviation, 2026 promises to be an unforgettable display of what aviation has meant to our nation and to the world at large.”
Further details on aircraft and activities in support of this theme will be announced as they are finalized.
