Westmoreland Airshow provides boost to restaurant, lodging traffic

After three years, the full Shop ’n Save Westmoreland Airshow is back — and Latrobe area businesses anticipate an influx of customers during the action-filled weekend.

“It’s a very big weekend for us,” said John Heiple, general manager of Sharky’s Cafe. “We definitely benefit greatly between having an outdoor facility and catering.”

Heiple estimated the Unity sports bar and restaurant will see a 25% to 35% increase in patrons compared with a normal weekend. Catering orders are also up, he added.

Westmoreland County Airport Authority Executive Director Gabe Monzo expects about 100,000 spectators this year. There will be about 50 vendors. The show wasn’t held in 2020 and was hampered by inclement weather in 2021.

Monzo said the show makes “quite the economic impact” on regional hotels, restaurants, gas stations and other businesses. A 2019 study by the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau found that each visitor may spend $100-$400 in the county during the two-day event.

“It’s some noise, but it’s all good noise,” Monzo said. “That’s the sound of freedom.”

This will be the first air show for Carmine’s Pizza and Pasta, an Italian eatery in downtown Latrobe that opened last year. Co-owner Christopher Sylvania expects the show to pull in “lots of business.”

“(Spectators) are definitely going to be hungry and hopefully they’ll stop in,” he said.

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Similarly, Dino’s Sports Lounge anticipates a “drastic” increase in business on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

“With us being 2 or 3 minutes from the airport, that’s obviously a big reason it brings a lot of business to us,” said Steve Smolleck, manager of the Unity Township bar.

The Arnold Palmer Regional Airport has hosted the show since 1975. The airport authority, which operates Arnold Palmer and the Rostraver airports, most recently received over $2.6 million in county funds for operating expenses and debt service.

Tickets for the show are $15 each if purchased through Shop ’n Save and $25 if purchased at the gate. Any proceeds exceeding airshow expenses will go to the Westmoreland Food Bank. The show regularly donates to nonprofit organizations.

“We’re very humbled and very grateful that they have chosen the food bank to benefit,” said Jennifer Miller, CEO of the food bank. “The community has been so supportive, and this is just another example of how wonderful the people of Westmoreland County are and how caring they are.”

Sylvania said he appreciates events like the air show because it gives locals “something to look forward to.”

This year, the first day of the airshow overlaps with the conclusion of Mister Rogers Family Days – meaning families have two fun events to enjoy Saturday.

Festivities like these seek to provide enjoyment for community members and tourists alike, according to Briana Tomack, president and CEO of the Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Locals have something to do, businesses prosper and outsiders can enjoy an affordable trip.

“Anytime we have a large event, the goal is to bring people into the Latrobe area and stay longer,” she said.