The skies over Champaign County are set for a spectacular show as the 57th Annual Mid-Eastern Regional Fly-In (MERFI) lands at Grimes Municipal Airport on Saturday, August 16, blending aviation history, classic cars, and the colorful glow of hot air balloons into one action-packed day.
This year, MERFI is partnering with the Champaign County Balloon Festival, making the 2025 celebration the area’s largest combined aviation and ballooning event—especially with the All Ohio Balloon Fest in Marysville on hiatus during airport renovations.
The day begins at 8 a.m. with a pancake breakfast and rows of vintage aircraft and cars to explore.
At 9 a.m., judging for both the car show and fly-in kicks off.
By late morning, the tarmac will be buzzing with food trucks, a beer garden, family activities, and the lively vendor Fly-Market.
The Air National Guard will also be on-site with a Blackhawk helicopter and an information booth.
Awards for top aircraft and automobiles will be presented at 1 p.m.
The Balloon Festival takes over in the late afternoon.
For $2 admission after 4 p.m., guests can enjoy live music from The Victorious Kaybirds, a weather-dependent balloon launch at 6 p.m., and the evening’s grand finale—the balloon glow—at 8 p.m.
Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy plane rides, raffles, kids’ inflatables, face painting, sidewalk chalk art, and more.
Pilots flying in for the event can also take advantage of a $2 discount on avgas for the first 500 gallons, limited to 30 gallons per customer.
Airport Manager Drake Huffman says the event is more than just an air show:
Co-organizer Christine Detwiler adds:
“From antique aircraft to balloon glows, it’s a chance to relive the golden age of aviation while creating new memories with loved ones.”
For the full schedule, updates, and more details, visit HERE.
