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A roaring comeback: KC Air Show returns with flare after pandemic-induced hiatus 

By Kansas City Star Staff

The Kansas City Air Show brought in a “larger than normal turnout” in its return to the sky this year.

Peaceful weather, lifted COVID-19 restrictions and the anticipated performances by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels excited the greater Kansas City community Saturday.

“Great weather and an incredible lineup of talented performers headlined by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels caused a larger than normal turnout as we opened our gates this morning,” the show’s communication team said in a statement Saturday afternoon.

The airshow, presented by Garmin, was canceled last year because of the pandemic.

The 2021 airshow takes place Saturday, July 3, and Sunday, July 4. Click here for everything you need to know if you’re planning to attend.

In the meantime, take a look at photos captured by KC Star photographer Tammy Ljungblad at the start of the show Saturday:

U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds

The U.S Air Force Thunderbirds performed at KC Air Show Saturday, July 3, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas.
The U.S Air Force Thunderbirds performed at KC Air Show Saturday, July 3, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
The U.S Air Force Thunderbirds performed at the KC Air Show Saturday, July 3, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas.
The U.S Air Force Thunderbirds performed at the KC Air Show Saturday, July 3, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
The U.S Air Force Thunderbirds performed at KC Air Show Saturday, July 3, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas.
The U.S Air Force Thunderbirds performed at KC Air Show Saturday, July 3, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
The U.S Air Force Thunderbirds performed at the KC Air Show Saturday, July 3, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas.
The U.S Air Force Thunderbirds performed at the KC Air Show Saturday, July 3, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
The U.S Air Force Thunderbirds performed at the KC Air Show on Saturday, July 3, 2021, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas.
The U.S Air Force Thunderbirds performed at the KC Air Show on Saturday, July 3, 2021, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
The U.S Air Force Thunderbirds performed at KC Air Show Saturday, July 3, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas.
The U.S Air Force Thunderbirds performed at KC Air Show Saturday, July 3, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com

U.S. Navy Blue Angels

The U.S Navy Blue Angels flying in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets performed aerial maneuvers at the KC Air Show Saturday, July 3, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas.
The U.S Navy Blue Angels flying in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets performed aerial maneuvers at the KC Air Show Saturday, July 3, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
The U.S Navy Blue Angels flying in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets performed aerial maneuvers at the KC Air Show Saturday, July 3, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas.
The U.S Navy Blue Angels flying in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets performed aerial maneuvers at the KC Air Show Saturday, July 3, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
The U.S Navy Blue Angels flying in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets performed aerial maneuvers at the KC Air Show Saturday, July 3, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas.
The U.S Navy Blue Angels flying in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets performed aerial maneuvers at the KC Air Show Saturday, July 3, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
The U.S Navy Blue Angels flying in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets performed aerial maneuvers at the KC Air Show Saturday, July 3, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas.
The U.S Navy Blue Angels flying in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets performed aerial maneuvers at the KC Air Show Saturday, July 3, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
The U.S Navy Blue Angels flying in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets performed aerial maneuvers at the KC Air Show Saturday, July 3, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas.
The U.S Navy Blue Angels flying in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets performed aerial maneuvers at the KC Air Show Saturday, July 3, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
The U.S Navy Blue Angels flying in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets performed at the KC Air Show Saturday, July 3, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas.
The U.S Navy Blue Angels flying in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets performed at the KC Air Show Saturday, July 3, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com

KC Flight Formation

Members of the KC Flight Formation perfomed at KC Air Show Saturday, July 3, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas.
Members of the KC Flight Formation perfomed at KC Air Show Saturday, July 3, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Members of the KC Flight Formation performed at the KC Air Show on Saturday, July 3, 2021, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas.
Members of the KC Flight Formation performed at the KC Air Show on Saturday, July 3, 2021, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Members of the KC Flight Formation performed at the KC Air Show on Saturday, July 3, 2021, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas.
Members of the KC Flight Formation performed at the KC Air Show on Saturday, July 3, 2021, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com

More photos from KC Air Show

Elijah Neal of Gardner had his photo taken in an F18A jet at the KC Air Show on Saturday, July 3, 2021, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas.
Elijah Neal of Gardner had his photo taken in an F18A jet at the KC Air Show on Saturday, July 3, 2021, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
A member of the U.S Army’s Golden Knights Parachuted in the American flag to open at the KC Air Show on Saturday, July 3, 2021, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas.
A member of the U.S Army’s Golden Knights Parachuted in the American flag to open at the KC Air Show on Saturday, July 3, 2021, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Aviation enthusiasts watched the planes perform at the KC Air Show on Saturday, July 3, 2021, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas.
Aviation enthusiasts watched the planes perform at the KC Air Show on Saturday, July 3, 2021, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com

This story was originally published July 3, 2021 at 3:44 PM.

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