AirFEST was founded in 2003 to raise funds in support of Wisconsin Aviation Academy, a local non-profit organization that provides aviation programming and flight training to area youth. Tom Morgan, the current AirFEST Executive Director stated:  “AirFEST was created to support the goals of Wisconsin Aviation Academy. WAA’s goal is to provide scholarships to young men and woman of all backgrounds, with a special emphasis on low-income students.  WAA has helped to make the dreams of young men and women a reality by providing graduates the opportunity to have careers in aviation that include airlines, corporate and the U.S. Military.” Morgan also stated that, “AirFEST has a number of corporate sponsors in addition to ABC Supply who have been extremely generous in supporting this event every year since its inception. Although, without additional corporate sponsorship, WAA may no longer be able to achieve the goals it has established for the youth of Rock County.” Since its inception, AirFEST has donated over $500,000 to local non-profits.

“This was a great event that we have been proud of for the past 10 years. However, without additional community and sponsorship support and a U.S. jet team, AirFEST is simply not sustainable” said George Messina, AirFEST’s current President.  Messina also stated that “AirFEST’s generous sponsors are just that – sponsors; therefore, have no financial responsibility associated with this not for profit legal entity. Their generosity and support has made it possible for AirFEST to not only contribute to support the goals of WAA, but also over the past 10 years has injected in millions of dollars into the local economy.”

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If you’d like more information you may call the AirFEST office and leave a message. The office is staffed Monday – Thursday 8-12, and by appointment. You may also visit our website at www.swairfest.org for more background information and photos.

Tom Morgan
Executive Director
Southern Wisconsin AirFEST, Inc.
815.420.7923
tommorgan@tds.net