Murfreesboro Airport STEAM Fest returns Oct. 14 & 18

The Murfreesboro Municipal Airport's 4^th Annual STEAM Fest returns Oct. 14th and 18th, in partnership with Discovery Center's TN STEAM Festival, Oct. 10-26. Murfreesboro Airport, 1930 Memorial Blvd. is hosting two events this year-an Art Show and Fest.

An Art Show on Tuesday,Oct. 14 from 4-6 p.m. features tail livery art by Murfreesboro City School students, and a free Annual Airport STEAM Fest event Saturday,Oct. 18, bringing science, technology, engineering, art, and math to life.

The Oct. 14^thart show will highlight 65 pieces of art created by Murfreesboro City Schools 5^th grade students who hone their artistic talents at one of 13 schools in the 20^th largest school district in Tennessee. The young artist were challenged to create an airline "livery" as if their school were an actual airline. An airline livery are the logos, colors, and paint schemes that airlines create to advertise and adorn their aircraft. The Airport invites the public to view the art on display at the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport Terminal lobby beginning at 4 p.m. Oct. 14th and running through November. Watch video on airline tail artwork and the judged tail logos by CityTV https://youtu.be/Vs0qoL39CN4?si=3I36QGE5_Fnm4Cl5

The Airport also invites the public to engage in the Annual STEAM Fest from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18th to learn how airplanes fly, take a flight lesson in an aircraft flight simulator, and see larger charter aircraft and smaller planes up close. Watch CityTV promo here https://youtu.be/-wi_rifPSUo.

"The Murfreesboro Municipal Airport invites the public to both the art show and the STEAM Fest to see first-hand how math, science, technology, and art are used on a daily basis," said Airport Director Chad Gehrke. "This year's STEAM Fest offers more vehicles, more games, and more fun activities than ever. You never know how this fun experience might inspire the next pilot, drone operator, police office, firefighter, or engineer to create innovative designs and solve problems."

Vanderbilt LifeFlight along with U.S. military drones and a Blackhawk helicopter will be on the airport ramp for viewing. Middle Tennessee State University Aerospace will have aircraft, drones, and open its aircraft engine lab for tours.

Festival goers will be able to participate in a variety of games and fun activities while enjoying free hot dogs as City of Murfreesboro departments display vehicles and equipment used daily to maintain the City and keep residents safe. Vehicles from Murfreesboro Police, Murfreesboro Fire Rescue, Solid Waste, and Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation will be on hand. Visit the Airport webpage to learn more and sponsor the festival at https://www.murfreesborotn.gov/2385/Airport-STEAM-Festival.

The Annual STEAM Festival has averaged 1,200-1,500 visitors with more expected in 2025 with the two events.

"We're very excited about participating once again in STEAM and have been planning the special day with exhibits, static displays, and guests," said Airport Manager Ryan Hulsey. "Thanks to our many participating sponsors who participate in these unique flying educational opportunities."

The Experimental Aircraft Association will teach kids how planes fly and show off the aircraft that fly in and out of the airport daily. Once again, the popular Paper Airplane Station will let kids and adults make paper airplanes and the Civil Air Patrol will educate the community on its mission, and the support CAP provides to the community.

The list of participants at the Murfreesboro Airport STEAM Festival event includes:

• The 101stAirborne Division: AH-64 Drone Division
• TN Army National Guard: UH-60 (Blackhawk)
• Cirrus Aircraft
• ConiAir Charter aircraft
• Murfreesboro City Police: Law Enforcement Technology
• Murfreesboro City Fire and Rescue: Ladder 6
• Middle Tennessee State University: jet and piston engines on display to see all the inner workings of the engine and show off the aircraft that train future airline pilots and drone operators
• Vanderbilt LifeFlight: see one of their active service medical evac helicopters
• Microsoft Flight Simulator: fly the same plane you just sat in right out of MBT
• Murfreesboro Street Department
• Murfreesboro Solid Waste Department
• Murfreesboro Parks & Recreation
• Civil Air Patrol
• The Veterans of Foreign Wars and more

For the latest updated information on the Airport STEAM Festival, visit http://www.murfreesborotn.gov/2385/Airport-STEAM-Festival. For more information on the 2025 TN Steam Festival, visit https://www.tnsteam.org or https://www.facebook.com/steamfestival/

The City completed construction of a new Municipal Airport Terminal in 2020, replacing the old terminal built in 1952. The new 16,000-sqaure-foot terminal includes a large main lobby with raised and ground level observation areas, lounge seating, a large leasable business conference center, smaller conference room space, pilot lounge, and office space.

For more information on the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport, visit the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport webpage at https://www.murfreesborotn.gov/95/Airport

For City News online, visit www.Murfreesborotn.gov