Fans can thank Doug Fratoni for the 2nd annual Bremerton Air Show, which took place Aug. 17 and 18.

Fratoni, airshow CEO, took over the event from a nonprofit that had taken over last year from what had been a high-flying Gig Harbor tradition. He said it was truly a labor of love. After seeing his first airshow at age 14, his head was in the clouds about flying. That addiction turned into a career in the Air Force.

When he heard the Bremerton Airshow was in jeopardy, he decided to jump into the pilot’s seat. He’s been involved in airshow production before, but this time was different. Not only did he have to form his own LLC, he had to use his own money to get the show off the ground.

Show acts were from as far away as Florida, and Fratoni said online ticket sales had reached 4,000 by Aug. 16.

Acrobatic planes are popular, and smoke is let out so fans on the ground can see their paths better.

Airshow attendees were able to check out the gunner’s area on this plane.

Two youths walk around the airport in Bremerton looking at some of the planes before takeoff.

Planes like this one were able to get vertical quickly on takeoff.

Airshow CEO Doug Fratoni makes some last-minutes changes.