Mornings at Rotary Park: An Airshow You'll Never Forget
While most of the country is bundled up, watching winter from behind frosted windows, Bullhead City wakes up differently. Here, winter means cool mornings, pink washed sunrises, and that gentle sparkle bouncing off the Colorado River. This time of year, people step outside early to walk dogs, ride bikes, sip coffee, and breathe in fresh desert air.
One of the most unexpected sights here is the morning "air show" at Rotary Park, where remote control aircraft glide and loop overhead like bright streaks against the desert sky.
Follow the Colorado River Heritage Greenway Trail and you may hear the buzz before you see it. Engines humming, laughter, calm conversation...and those colorful planes sweeping across the river horizon. Walkers, snowbirds, cyclists, families and early risers all pause to look up as small wings move across the morning blue.
Check out the morning magic for yourself. These pilots gave me quite a show.
Built by Flyers, Bonded by Years
Nearly 4 decades ago, Rotary Park was mostly open desert. The river flowed as it always had, but the ballfields, shaded ramadas, walking paths, disc golf course, and dog park we know today were mostly ideas waiting to grow.
Before any of that existed, a small group of aircraft enthusiasts stood on this open stretch of land and saw potential. They decided to build a runway meant for remote controlled flight.
It began with hands, tools, and a shared love of aircraft.
The friendships came later.
A Sky Full of Character
The planes here each have their own story. One flies with an LOL doll in the cockpit. The man flying her speaks softly, guiding her in for a smooth landing while calling her princess.
These pilots have a Facebook page dedicated to their flying, called the 'Local Area Fun Flyers' group, and they are as entertaining to watch as their planes. Another pilot laughs about rebuilding his plane again. Two others explain to me their exciting nights of combat flying, where the goal is for the flying plane to touch a ribbon attached to another plane to get it 'out'...but ends a lot of times with a sort of bumper-car in the sky.
The planes are just as fascinating as the pilots who control them.
Winter Shines Here
Winter in Bullhead City feels like a deep breath of sunlight. Cool mornings. Clear skies. The river sparkling like glass. Tis the season when people step outside, slow down, and notice the kind of beauty you can only find here.
Rotary Park is one of those places. Planes rising at sunrise, dogs splashing along the shoreline, footsteps on quiet trails, and laughter carrying you across the grass. It is full of moments that stay with you.
If you are planning a trip, start here. Explore Rotary Park and all of the gems waiting for you.
Then, plan your stay below, and see Bullhead City in its best season.
Your winter adventure awaits in Bullhead City.
Bullhead City, Arizona
2355 Trane Road
Bullhead City, AZ 86442
(928) 763-9400
www.bullheadcity.com