ESCANABA — On July 21, Wausau Downtown Airport in Wausau, Wis. will be the start and finish line for the 26th annual EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) AirVenture Cup Race. The skies over Escanaba are part of te race course. The event will see approximately 100 unique aircraft, across 38 race classes, compete in a race spanning more than 400 nautical miles.

“I am thrilled to welcome the EAA AirVenture Cup Race to our skies,” said Delta County Airport Manager Robert Ranstadler. “Watching these exceptional aircraft and pilots soar over our airport will be a spectacular sight and a testament to the spirit of aviation. This event will bring a unique excitement to the airport and our community.”

The race begins at 9 am on July 21, weather permitting, with the course featuring a significant segment over Escanaba. Delta County Airport will serve as one of several waypoints for the race, which will include a number of other airports in the Upper Peninsula and parts of Wisconsin.

The EAA AirVenture Cup Race offers pilots and aircraft builders the chance to race their aircraft in a safe and fun environment, while promoting aviation in and over the communities along the course. Since its inception in 1998, which saw the first race start in Kitty Hawk, NC, with 10 aircraft, the event has grown into a major aviation celebration, attracting thousands of spectators annually. For more information, visit www.airventurecuprace.com.