Residents and visitors in Airway Heights, Washington, should prepare for traffic delays on Highway 2 as SkyFest takes place at Fairchild Air Force Base. The Washington State Patrol (WSP), along with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), will be managing traffic control to accommodate the influx of attendees.

Traffic Management and Safety

The WSP has announced that traffic on Highway 2 will be significantly impacted from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. throughout the SkyFest weekend. Troopers will be present to assist with traffic control, and additional enforcement patrols will be deployed to ensure smooth operations. The primary goal is to maintain safety and efficiency as visitors make their way to the event.

Fairchild Air Force Base officials emphasize the importance of arriving early due to the high volume of traffic and necessary security screenings. Maj. Karianne Ernisse, SkyFest 2026 Air Show director, stated, “Our goal is to get every guest onto the flightline as safely and efficiently as possible.”

Event Logistics

SkyFest is a free event, and parking is available at no charge. However, attendees should be prepared for potentially long walks from parking areas to the flightline entry points due to the complex logistics of the active-duty installation. Security personnel will direct vehicles to designated parking lots upon arrival.

For those seeking alternative transportation, the Spokane Transit Authority (STA) is offering shuttle services between the base, Airway Heights, and STA Plaza. This service aims to alleviate some of the congestion and provide a convenient option for attendees.

Original reporting: KREM Spokane — read the source article.