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Gerlach has jumped about 4,200 times over the course of nine years for the team, also known as the Golden Knights.

“It’s a great show out here,� Gerlach said. “The community is so great and welcoming. The people are great because, I mean, honestly, as cool as it is to jump out of a plane and to jump onto a beach or a stadium or an airfield…it’s empty and there’s nobody out there. It’s really not as fun as you think it is for us. It’s the people that we jump for that make the show for us.�

The Airshow of the Cascades started in 2000 to bring families to Madras and highlight aviation and aviation history, as the airport was a military base during World War II, according to Rick Allen, secretary and treasurer of the show.

“Our show, it’s very cross generational,� Allen said. “It’s one of those family events at the end of summer…it’s a festival. It’s more than just, you know, the two-hour show in the sky. It’s a before and after.�

The show runs Friday and Saturday with activities including aerobatics, plane shows, live music, food, a fireworks show, car show and more.

Each day, visitors can examine the Erickson Aircraft Collection up close, which features planes from World War II. Friday night, the Golden Knights will strap fireworks to their boots, sending sparks and smoke down from the sky in the fireworks show.

“Usually people come an hour or two ahead of (the show) and they wander around and look at things on the ground, interact with military people or talk to the pilots,� Allen said. “They can actually walk up to the show planes.�

As a tribute to the 80th anniversary of D-Day, three planes from World War II will fly together: a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bomber plane, one of two in the country that can still fly, a North American fighter plane and a German fighter plane.

“It takes you back in time, you know, but at the same time, you get to see some fun and excitement, the adrenaline type with, you know, aerobatic acts in the sky,� Allen said. “Some people love to watch the cars. Someone else loves the airplanes. Some like the jets only because they’re noisy, and someone else loves the grace of an old war bird.�

Other aircraft to take flight this weekend include military jets, a spy plane, a micro jet and more. Visitors can also view military vehicles and other military equipment used worldwide.

Aside from planes, car fanatics can wind their way through the Les Schwab Car Show, which will feature muscle cars, antique cars, sports cars, street rods and more. Through the weekend, 50 vendors will be set up for food and activities under the busy sky, said Allen.

Each day the show will host live music from Chasing Bandits Band, Vince Bigos, Sweet Red and the Hot Rod Billies and Stu Kinzel Trio with a concert by Hit Machine after the Golden Knights performance Saturday.

Allen suggests bringing lawn chairs or a blanket to sit on along with a hat and sunglasses to block the sun.

For those farther from Madras, camping is available for visitors who want to camp out or park their RVs for the weekend, said Allen.

Veterans and children younger than 5 have free admission. Other tickets span a range of prices.

Gerlach is most excited to walk through the crowd to high five visitors and invite kids to help fold his parachute after his descent down to the ground.

“I look forward to seeing all the people out here at this show,� Gerlach said. “Like I said, it’s a great community, and it’s always nice to be able to put on a good show from Madras.�