The Air Zoo Celebrates 45 Years with Community Celebration on November 16

The Air Zoo, Michigan’s renowned aerospace and science center, is set to celebrate its 45th anniversary on Saturday, November 16. The celebration will include a 45% discount on regular admission, along with cake, kids’ activities, and the inaugural Paper Airplane Championship. The competition is open to participants aged 10 and older and will challenge competitors to test their skills in aerodynamics by designing, folding, and launching paper airplanes (preregistration is encouraged).  Guests are invited to explore more through a special scavenger hunt and discover many of the Air Zoo’s original collection which will be adorned in a sapphire 45th Anniversary ribbon.

Founded by aviation enthusiasts Suzanne Delano-Parish and Pete Parish, the Air Zoo has a rich history rooted in a passion for aviation. Sue, a former Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP), and Pete, a pilot and former U. S. Marine, began their collection in 1959 with the purchase of a 35C Bonanza, followed by a Stearman biplane, an AT-6, and a Grumman Wildcat. Their dream of sharing this passion with the public was realized when they accepted a friend’s offer of a Grumman Bearcat on the condition that they open a museum. This led to the establishment of the Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum in 1979. Soon after the museum became known as the “Air Zoo,” a nod to its unique collection of aircraft with animal-inspired names, including the Wildcat, Hellcat, Bearcat, and Sue’s beloved pink P-40 Flying Tiger, now proudly displayed in the atrium to greet all guests.

With the 2004 expansion, an additional building, known today as the Flight Innovation Center (FIC), extended the exhibit floor to more than 200,000 square feet. This provided nearly four times the space to imagine, explore, and discover science, history, and flight innovation, making it one of Michigan’s largest attractions.  This Smithsonian-affiliated museum and science center features over 100 historic aircraft and spacecraft, full-motion flight simulators, hands-on exhibits, and indoor amusement rides. In addition, their on-the-exhibit-floor Restoration Center has garnered international accolades. In the early years, this talented restoration team was busy repairing and rejuvenating aircraft, including many of the original “cats” that you will see on display throughout the museum. Today, this dedicated team of more than 80 volunteers works tirelessly on WWII aircraft rescued from the bottom of Lake Michigan, for all guests to see and interact with during their visit. The Restoration Center is located in the Air Zoo’s original building, the Flight Discovery Center (FDC) at 3101 E. Milham Ave. There, guests will find jet-age aircraft, open trainer cockpits, exhibits, and a spectacular view of the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport runway. Guests are invited to begin their adventure at the FDC on Saturday, November 16.

The Air Zoo’s audience and impact have grown extensively since their start in 1979. Their one-of-a-kind experiences attract a worldwide audience of more than 200,000 guests annually. Captivating social media content connects more than 280,000 followers to history, innovation, and experiences 365 days a year. Recent enhancements such as the Air Zoo’s new digital guide app, through Bloomberg Connects, have created more ways to connect with current and future guests alike.

As a community resource, the Air Zoo is dedicated to financial accessibility and all the previously outlined experiences are included in daily admission and free to Air Zoo members. Programs such as Museums for All and Community Access Memberships provide deep discounts and/or covered admission for those receiving EBT and WIC benefits in our area.  Learn more at airzoo.org/community-access-programs.

Additionally, the Air Zoo is one of southwest Michigan’s most sought-after science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) education resources. Their dedicated team inspires more than 35,000 students annually. These young learners explore STEAM principles in more than 60 unique programs delivered through seasonal camps, field trips, homeschool classes, and Science on the Go outreach programs. Thousands of these young explorers can participate in these popular programs thanks to the Air Zoo’s Science Inspiration Scholarship Fund, which awards more than $30,000 in scholarships each year.

In addition to exciting programs and events, docent lead tours, and inspiring exhibits, the Air Zoo boasts one of the area’s largest event spaces, several meeting rooms, and an assortment of team-building experiences for private and corporate bookings.  Birthday parties, overnights, weddings, corporate events, and proms are just a few of the out-of-this-world events often held at the Air Zoo. Learn more at airzoo.org/host-an-event. Whether it is your first, forty-fifth, or five-hundredth visit, there has never been a better time to stop out and celebrate all the Air Zoo has brought to the community for the past 45 years! Don’t miss this milestone celebration. For more information go to airzoo.org/45.