The Naval Air Station Wildwood (NASW) Aviation Museum in Cape May, NJ, is pleased to announce the return of AirFest, the museum’s signature annual event and largest fundraiser, taking place Thursday, August 28, through Sunday, August 31, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Now in its 29th year, AirFest continues to expand in both size and popularity, promising to deliver the most exciting experience yet for aviation enthusiasts and families alike.
AirFest 2025 offers attendees the rare opportunity to view historic aircraft up close and interact directly with the pilots and crews. Featured aircraft include the Messerschmitt Me 262, the world’s first operational jet fighter; the Goodyear FG-1D Corsair, known as “Whistling Death”; and the C-53 “Beach City Baby,” a rare DC-3 troop transport variant with a fully restored wartime interior available for tours. The SNJ (AT-6 Texan) will return to honor NAS Wildwood’s legacy as a World War II training base, while the rare Fuji LM-1 “Nikko,” one of only three airworthy examples in the U.S., will also be on display.
Beyond the aircraft, AirFest 2025 provides a full weekend of entertainment and family-friendly activities. Visitors will have access to the museum’s full collection of over 28 aircraft and helicopters, including the recently acquired AV-8B Harrier II+, as well as special exhibits such as the Longest Yarn and the B-25J SandBar Mitchell nose section and operating turret from Warbirds of Glory. The event grounds will feature military vehicles, fire trucks, costumed reenactors, and appearances by beloved characters such as Smokey Bear.
Saturday will feature a fly-in by the Aero Club of Pennsylvania and the Experimental Aircraft Association, along with performances by the vintage dance troupe, Magnolia Sadies. Throughout the weekend, guests can enjoy live music, local food vendors and artisans, free face painting and caricatures, and a nostalgic 1940s-style radio broadcast by Ted Schwartz. Community partners, including AtlantiCare, the New Jersey State Police, and the United States Coast Guard, will also be present.
AirFest 2025 is made possible in part through the generous support of Title Sponsor J. Byrne Insurance Agency, whose commitment to community and history ensures the festival’s continued success. All aircraft attendance and scheduling are subject to change based on mission requirements, weather conditions, and maintenance needs. The Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum is located inside historic Hangar #1 at Cape May Airport. The site formerly served as a World War II dive-bomber training center and honors the 42 aviators who perished while training at NAS Wildwood between 1943 and 1945. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Funding for the museum is provided in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Cape May County Division of Culture and Heritage. For more information, visit www.usnasw.org
