Addison

Kaboom Town!^®

Any sensationalism on how great this fireworks show is has already been said by the likes of the American Pyrotechnics Association, USA Today, Travel + Leisure, and The Wall Street Journal.  It's one of those things you can't imagine how good it is until you see it.  We were making plans to return next year before the show was even over.

It is widely recognized as one of the best 10 fireworks displays in the U. S.

A half-million people come to Addison to watch this spectacular display -- that's about 35 times its population!  Many arrive in the early afternoon to reserve themselves a spot ... we saw people arriving as early a 2 p.m., 7 1/2 hours before the fireworks.  There's an air show just before dusk, and the fireworks start at 9:30.  The fireworks run for a full 30 minutes, and accompanying music may be heard on 100.3 JACK FM.

The city becomes one big traffic jam by 4:30 p.m., so we recommend getting a hotel room and enjoying the view.   The fireworks are staged on the south end of the runway at Addison Airport, so plan your spot accordingly.

We'd say which hotel we used, but we won't, as we're already planning to return next year with some of our family, and we want to be able to get a room!  We're told many of the hotels in Addison have a great view of the fireworks.  Our hotel was amazing and so was the view.  Of course, not all rooms have a view of the fireworks, and they are reluctant to guarantee a view, so you may have to do some planning.

Plane videos (below) were taken from the concierge room at the hotel;  fireworks videos were taken from our hotel room.

Airport from our room	Airport from concierge room	Airport from concierge room

Cavanaugh Flight Museum

Air show from our room

The Cavanaugh Flight Museum is a fantastic experience.  We went on Kaboom Town!® day, earlier in the day.  They provide a flight show prior to the fireworks, and we were there in time to see them taxiing some of the planes to go to the runway (see video links on right).  Yes, many of the planes are airworthy, and some are available for rides -- for a price.  If you love old planes, you'll understand the thrill of hearing them start and watching them taxi.  I felt a sense of being there, although most of those planes were obsolete before I was born.

Many of the staff you see are volunteers -- people who care enough about preserving the history of these planes to donate their time.  Their dedication to the museum enriches one's experience.  We found them to be extremely helpful and informative.

In July, 2014, admission for adults was $10.  Seniors / students / military were $7, children 4 - 12 were $5, and children under 4 were free.  Major credit cards were accepted.

The only restroom is in the main building where you enter.  The remote hangar -- accessible by van only -- appeared to have one, also, but we didn't verify it.  We were told they had water for sale, but we didn't see it;  outside food & beverage are not allowed.  There were no benches, either.  Physically challenged persons need to be aware of that and plan to stand for a while.

Most of the planes are in hangars, so there is no air conditioning.  Some are outside, so be aware of weather conditions.

Below are just a few of the many planes on display.  Allow several hours ... at least.

Sopwith Camel	Fokker Dr.1	B25J
TBM-3-E "Avenger" (Pres. George H. W. Bush piloted a version of this plane.)	B24A Liberator  Four 1200 horsepower engines	B24A Liberator (again)
Russian tank (with two of the volunteers standing in front of it)	MiG 21
UH-1B Huey
"Messerschmitt" ME-109	M50 Super Sherman	Spitfire Mark VIII
F-4 Phantom II	F9F-2B Panther	MiG 15
0-2A "Skymaster"	AH-1J "Sea Cobra"
PT-13B "Kaydet"	A-26C "Invader"
1935 Chrysler Airflow	1955 Buick Riviera	We don't know why, either

 

 

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1425 Black Champ Rd., Waxahachie, TX   75167