This Saturday, Oct. 1, visitors from throughout San Diego County will enjoy an up-close look at the San Diego Air & Space Museum’s latest restoration projects and rare, one-of-a-kind airplanes on exhibit at the Museum’s only Annex outside Balboa Park. Located at 335 Kenney Street, the Museum spent two-years developing the Gillespie Field Annex into a must-see site in East County. Fun Aerofest Open House activities are planned for adults and kids alike: Flyovers, Cockpit Simulators, Docent Tours and Open Cockpits. Food and drink are available for purchase.

“We are excited to grow our events and programs at our Gillespie Field Annex,” stated James G. Kidrick, President & CEO of the San Diego Air & Space Museum. “The collection at the Annex represents a significant part of our aviation history, and we are proud to serve the San Diego Community through our mission to preserve that history.”

Browse our Museum Sale! The Museum will have a variety of collectibles for sale. Bring a piece of air and space history home for you and your family to enjoy: Military and Airline Uniforms, Posters and Art, Equipment, Aviation, Memorabilia, Aircraft Parks, Books, Magazines and More!

The event is open to public from 9 am to 1 p.m. Admission is free for Museum members, and $5 for regular general admission beginning at 9 a.m. Early Bird access to the Museum Sale from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. is just $20. Early Bird tickets must be reserved in advance and will allow guests to have the first picks at rare collectibles, uniforms, art, models, aircraft parts, and much, much, more.

Early Bird tickets can be purchased at https://sandiegoairandspace.org//calendar/event_purchase/aerofest-open-hangar-museum-sale

The Museum’s Gillespie Field Annex in El Cajon, California serves as an additional exhibit space for its growing collections, as well as a restoration facility. Located at the northeastern corner of Gillespie Field, the site has two 20,000 square foot hangars, one for exhibits and the other for restoration projects. The facility is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There is a $5 admission fee for 12 years and older.

Aircraft on display include many examples of early aircraft, military jets, private sport aircraft and small racing planes displayed in Hangar One and outside along a taxiway leading to the airstrip. A jewel in the collection is Baron Hilton’s Staggerwing, acquired in 2021. Other rare aircraft include a Curtiss Robin, Ryan Vertijet, Convair F-102 and North American F-86, to name a few. Two new additions to the collection are NASA’s S-3B Viking and a Bell Huey UH-1V, slated for future restoration.

For more information about the Gillespie Field Annex, please visit https://sandiegoairandspace.org/visit/gillespie-field-annex