One of EAA AirVenture’s best-kept secrets, the Seaplane Base hidden gem
OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV) – Longtime volunteers call it one of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh’s best-kept secrets.
But the people at the Seaplane Base aren’t deliberately trying to keep people out. In fact, for them, it’s the more the merrier.
The Seaplane Base is about a 10-minute drive southeast of the EAA grounds and it’s a place where you can see an air show and a water show at the same time.
“One of the coolest things for us is that we actually get the back side of the air show, we get to see them getting in formation and getting ready to go towards the main field,” said Seaplane Base Volunteer Chairman Shane Albers.
Green Bay car enthusiasts meet up at Stadium View for an evening of live music
With tranquil views of Lake Winnebago in the background, people who come and hang out can watch seaplanes take off and land in the water in addition to seeing parts of the airshow that those on the EAA grounds can’t see.
Longtime volunteers said the vibe at the Seaplane Base is much different than the hustle and bustle of the EAA grounds.
“We have a very different feel at the seaplane base, it’s very Caribbean-esque very relaxed and laid back,” said Albers.
According to the sign at the Seaplane Base, there are 75 seaplanes registered there right now. Volunteers offer those who come out a free pontoon ride around part of the lake to view all the seaplanes there.
One of those planes belongs to Mark Palm the CEO of Samaritan Aviation. It’s a nonprofit that brings medical supplies to people in need in Papua New Guinea and also airlifts people to hospitals during emergencies.
Green Bay Veterans Garden helps to soothe the lingering effects of the stress of service
He’s been coming to the Seaplane Base at EAA for almost 20 years.
“This is just a cool vibe, is the words they use, it feels different here,” said Palm. ‘It’s a great place to relax bring the kids. We’ve just become a big community, we hang out at night together, and we eat together.”
There are shuttles that go back and forth from the EAA grounds to the Seaplane Base. For information about the seaplane base and how to access it, please click here.
“Once people find it they truly fall in love with the place immediately,” said Albers.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.