Fans can thank Doug Fratoni for the 2nd annual Bremerton Air Show.

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 are from as far away as Florida, and Fratoni said online ticket sales had reached 4,000 by Friday afternoon, so weekend crowds could hit 9,000.

Show gates open at 10 a.m. Aug. 17-18, and flying starts around 1 p.m. at the Bremerton Airport. Tickets are available at bremertonairshow.com.

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

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

Flying in the heritage pattern are a Navy F4U Corsair, left, and a VFA-122 Flying Eagle.

Airshow CEO Doug Fratoni makes some last-minutes changes.