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Chico Air Museum Chico Municipal Airport 530-345-6468 www.chicoairmuseum.org Hours: Saturdays, 10-4 Free Admission Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology |
Opened in 2005, the Chico Air Museum, has both an outdoor display area and an indoor facility. The indoor area features four aviation exhibits with additional displays and artifacts being added. Initial exhibits include Thaddeus Kerns, Chico’s first pilot; the Chico Army Airfield located at the airport during WWII; aerial fire fighting and its evolution; and a display featuring aircraft today.
The museum’s outdoor area displays five historic aircraft including a Lockheed “Lodestar,” a Yakovlev-52, a Lockheed P2V-7, an SP-2H air tanker and an Antonov AN-2.
In addition to being open on Saturdays, the museum hosts school classes.
Chico Air Show 2010 was held at the Chico Municipal Airport. Chico was the only city in northern California to host a Jet team in 2010, and Chico’s next air show will be in 2012. This is the place to be to see jets galore and more!! Highlighting the 2010 Air Show was a thrilling aerial performance by the nine jets of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds Jet Team. Other performers included up and coming female pilot Melissa Pemberton, Kent Pietsch with the world’s smallest
“carrier landing,” a jet powered car, Warbirds, a parachute team, military demonstrations, static displays and several flybys. Food vendors, souvenirs, a Kidzone full of fun for the kids, and the ever comfortable Flightline club with food by the Sons of Italy, all rounded out that weekend of great fun and entertainment. The 2010 show began with a Friday night twilight performance where general viewing and an evening of catered food and music was enjoyed at the Flightline. For more information visit: www.chicoairshow.org or call 530-230-1652.
The Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology offers exhibitions, lectures, children’s programs and K-12 outreach.In the spring of each year, Museum Studies students design and install an exhibition with a wide variety of anthropological themes. Past exhibits include: The Artic, Global Tourism, The Maidu, Human and Animal Relationships, and many more. The museum offers the World Exploration Lecture Series on the first Sunday of the month. The museum hosts numerous events celebrating community, culture, and education. Check the website for the most up-to-date information about this exciting Chico landmark.