JACKSONVILLE, Ark. — For the first time in five years, Arkansans can enjoy Thunder Over the Rock again.
For longtime Jacksonville residents like Mayor Jeff Elmore— it's a welcome sight.
"I remember going to air shows since I was a kid, it's memories I still have to this day," Elmore said. "It's been, you know, several years since 2018, since the last one, so we really are looking forward to it again."
Thanks to COVID, years have passed since the last show. However, that changes this weekend.
"We got a packed show for everybody, we're looking forward to it," Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Styles, director of Thunder Over the Rock, said.
It's not just Arkansans that are excited to see this return— so are those on base.
"Feels great, we've had lots of people reaching out, everybody we see, I tell them, 'hey, the air shows coming back,'" Styles said. "Everybody's excited, all the way from Northwest Arkansas to Southern Arkansas, it's gonna be a big event."
As for what you can expect, you'll see some favorites as well as some new acts.
"We've got lots of local flying aerobatic acts, jump teams from the United States Air Force and Army, Wings of Blue, Golden Knights," Styles said.
Also, something you can expect to see— plenty of people.
The base is expecting to see nearly a quarter of a million people this weekend.
While you should expect some traffic, Elmore said they've got it under control.
"Just planning for this event, they've got the routes worked in and coming out down there ready to go," he said.
With so much going on, all that's left is to see it for yourself.
"Not only the Air Force, but the Army, the Marines, the Coast Guard, we got little bits from all military across the nation," Styles said. "It's going to be a good time, I'm hoping everybody comes out and sees what we do on a daily basis."
Entry to the show is free.
For more information on Thunder Over the Rock, please click here.