Holman Field Soars Into History as Saint Paul Launches Its Biggest Aviation Night

image credit: Metropolitan Airports Commission

Saint Paul Downtown Airport will open its gates for a special centennial celebration on 24 September 2026. The event is called OktoberFlight at STP. It will bring aircraft, aviation stories, live music, food and families together at Holman Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
This is not a usual concert. It is not a usual airport visit either. For one evening, a working airport will become a place where people can walk near aircraft, meet pilots and learn how flight changed the Twin Cities.
The event celebrates 100 years of St. Paul Downtown Airport. The airport first opened in 1926. It has watched commercial aviation grow from a new idea into a major part of daily travel and business. Now, its past will step out of old photographs and onto the tarmac.

A full evening of aircraft and music

The public open house will begin at 5 p.m. Visitors can enter the historic tower and administration building. Inside, they will find curated photos, stories and displays from the airport’s long history.
At 5.15 p.m., scheduled flyovers will begin. Vintage aircraft and participating aviation groups are expected to make passes over the airport. The organiser has not published the final aircraft list. This means visitors will see a surprise mix of aviation history in the sky.
At 6 p.m., Minnesota performer Rafe Carlson will take the stage on the tarmac. His concert will run until 7.45 p.m. Carlson is known for music that blends modern country, bluegrass and rock energy. His appearance gives the aviation event a strong local music feel.
The programme is designed for more than aviation fans. Children can see aircraft closely. Local residents can explore their city’s history. Music fans can enjoy a concert in an unusual outdoor setting. Visitors to Minnesota can add a rare airport experience to their Saint Paul trip.

The airport that helped shape Minnesota aviation

St. Paul Downtown Airport is also called Holman Field. It sits just across the Mississippi River from downtown Saint Paul. It has been part of the Twin Cities aviation picture for a century.
The airport began as St. Paul Municipal Airport in 1926. It later became linked with Charles “Speed” Holman, one of Minnesota’s best-known early aviators. Holman worked in airmail and airline flying. He became famous during the golden age of aviation, when flying still amazed huge crowds.
Holman had a bold public image. He performed aerial stunts and set flying records. His work helped make aviation feel exciting and possible for ordinary people. After his death in 1931, the airport was renamed in his honour. The name Holman Field remains an important part of its identity today.
The centennial displays will tell visitors about this early age of airmail, daring pilots and the beginning of commercial aviation. These stories matter because they show how air travel developed from a small local service into a global travel system.

A wartime story hidden in plain sight

Holman Field also played an important role during the Second World War. The airport was connected with wartime aircraft work and the wider aviation effort. This is one reason the centennial has value beyond a birthday party.
The airport’s historic buildings help tell that story. The old tower and administration area reflect a time when airports were becoming important transport centres. They were places where pilots, mechanics, airline workers and passengers came together.
Today, Saint Paul Downtown Airport still works every day. It serves corporate aircraft, charter flights, flight training and transient general aviation aircraft. The Minnesota Army National Guard also uses the airport.
This makes the event special. Guests will not be visiting a closed museum. They will be visiting a real airport that continues to support modern aviation. The past and present will stand beside each other on the same runway and ramp.

A powerful tourism story for Saint Paul

Saint Paul is often known for its riverfront, historic neighbourhoods, culture and events. OktoberFlight adds a fresh reason to visit. It gives travellers a chance to see aviation heritage in a setting that feels active and real.
The airport is close to downtown Saint Paul and major Twin Cities attractions. This makes it easy for visitors to combine the event with restaurants, theatres, hotels and other city experiences.
The airport also supports the regional economy. It handles tens of thousands of annual landings and take-offs. It supports more than a thousand jobs and generates major economic activity. OktoberFlight helps explain why smaller city airports matter. They do not only serve aircraft. They support workers, businesses, tourism and local connections.
The event also shows a new way to use aviation heritage. Instead of keeping history inside a museum, organisers are taking it outdoors. Aircraft, pilots, music and stories will share the same space. That can make history easier for young people and first-time visitors to understand.

What visitors need to know

OktoberFlight at STP takes place on Thursday, 24 September 2026, at St. Paul Downtown Airport, 644 Bayfield Street, Saint Paul.
The open house begins at 5 p.m. Flyovers are planned from 5.15 p.m. The Rafe Carlson concert begins at 6 p.m. and ends at 7.45 p.m.
Visitors are advised to use rideshare services or off-site parking. Paid parking will be available for US$15 at 383 East Kellogg Boulevard and 431 East Kellogg Boulevard. Free shuttles will run between the parking areas and Holman’s Table from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Visitors should check the official event page before travelling for final updates on entry, weather plans, accessibility details and the aircraft programme.

A century of flight comes alive

OktoberFlight at STP is a strong reminder that airports can hold stories as well as aircraft. Holman Field has seen airmail pioneers, early airline growth, wartime work and the rise of modern business aviation.
On 24 September, Saint Paul will celebrate that journey in a vivid way. The sound of aircraft overhead will meet live Minnesota music on the tarmac. For one evening, 100 years of flight will not stay in the past. It will come alive for a new generation.