Get Your Best Paper Airplane Ready to Go!
Hey Kalamazoo! Mark your calendars for November 16-18, 2025, because our favorite aviation museum is marking its 45th anniversary with something totally different – their first-ever Paper Airplane Championship.
The Air Zoo is going all out with a weekend of activities — including 45% off admission — but the real buzz is about this new paper airplane competition that’s open to everyone from kids to engineers.
If you’re 10 or older and think you’ve got what it takes to design and launch the perfect paper aircraft, you can put your STEAM skills (that’s science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) to the test against other paper airplane builders.
And, if competitive paper plane flying isn’t your thing, there’s still plenty more to take part of during this milestone celebration.
In this article
Event Schedule
| Time | What’s Happening |
|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | Air Zoo Opens |
| 10:00 AM | • Kids’ paper plane contest and scavenger hunt begins • Community partners activity tables open • Paper Airplane Championship building and practice time |
| 12:00 PM | Free cake for everyone! |
| 2:00 PM | • Paper Airplane Championship officially starts • Community partners activity tables close |
| 3:00-4:00 PM | Paper Airplane Championship winners announced |
| 5:00 PM | Air Zoo closes |
*Pro tip: Grab your tickets in person during the celebration weekend to score that 45% discount it’s still the best deal we’ve seen all year! (Can’t be combined with other offers.)
The Story Behind Our Favorite Air Museum
You might’ve driven past it a hundred times, but did you know the Air Zoo’s story is pure Kalamazoo coolness?
It all started back in 1979 when two local aviation enthusiasts, Suzanne Delano-Parish and Pete Parish, turned their private collection into something we could all enjoy.
Sue was one of those legendary Women Airforce Service Pilots during WWII, and Pete was a former U.S. Marine.
Because so many of their planes had animal names – Wildcat, Hellcat, Bearcat – this cool collection of aircraft was nicknamed the ‘Air Zoo.’ Plus, there’s an amazing pink P-40 Flying Tiger that Sue used to fly. You can’t miss it when you walk in!
What To Expect Beyond Paper Planes
If you haven’t been to the Air Zoo lately, you’re in for a treat.
The place has grown into a massive 200,000-square-foot wonderland of aviation history that more than 200,000 people visit every year. They come to see the 100 historic aircraft and spacecraft housed inside of their two sprawling buildings.
And here’s an insider tip: don’t miss their Restoration Center. That’s building #2, where an incredible team of 80+ volunteers take old planes fished out of Lake Michigan back to life. There are a lot of hands-on opportunities in the restoration center, too.
If You Go
What: Air Zoo’s 45th Anniversary Celebration & Paper Airplane Championship
When: November 16-18, with main events on Saturday, November 16
Where: Start at the Flight Discovery Center, 3101 E. Milham Ave., Portage
Cost: 45% off regular admission during the celebration weekend
Local’s Tips: Register early for the Paper Airplane Championship (spots are filling up fast). Competitors must be 10 or older. Be sure to check out the Restoration Center—it’s a hidden gem! Plan to spend the whole day; there’s plenty to see.
Share Your Air Zoo Story Been around long enough to have your own Air Zoo memory? Maybe it’s where you first caught the aviation bug, or where you take your kids on rainy weekends? They’re collecting stories from the community to share during the celebration – time to dig through those old photos!
More Info: airzoo.org/45
Start practicing those folds, Kalamazoo—history’s about to take flight in a whole new way!
Air Zoo Paper Airplane Championship Prizes
Grand Prize: A custom Air Zoo Champion trophy created by Detroit artist Josh Welton, plus an Air Zoo Store gift.
2nd Place: Air Zoo Store gift.
3rd Place: Air Zoo Store gift.
Category Winners: Each category winner will receive a 3D-printed trophy created by the Air Zoo.
Register now for your chance to compete in the Air Zoo Paper Airplane Championship!
Air Zoo Paper Airplane Championship Official Rules
- Contestants must be ages 10 or older.
- All paper planes must be built at designated tables using the official paper provided by Air Zoo. No additional materials like glue or tape are allowed. Cutting or ripping the paper is permitted, and tools will be provided.
- Contestants must remain behind the throwing line when in contact with their plane.
- Each throw must be completed within 30 seconds, or it will be disqualified.
- Contestants can throw one plane per heat but may prepare multiple planes to use for different throws.
- Each plane must have the contestant’s name visibly written on it when folded.
- Disqualified throws (e.g., exceeding time, crossing the line, landing outside the designated area) will not be counted and cannot be repeated.
- Participation in all three categories is required to win the Grand Prize. The Grand Prize winner must be present to claim their prize.
- Ties in any category will be resolved with a single throw for the best distance.
- The Air Zoo reserves the right to remove anyone from the competition.
- Rules are subject to change; please refer to the posted rules at the event venue for the most up-to-date information.
