BEAUFORT S.C. () — An estimate of around 100,000 people attended MCAS Beaufort’s air show this weekend.

The cost to get in was free, but money was brought in through several other ways.

Beaufort business owners said it was a big and booming weekend for them.

“We absolutely love it when they come into town,” said Kaitlynn Vassalle, a co-owner of Urban Brew + Co.

Vassalle’s co-owned shop, along with others in the area, saw a big increase in sales from locals, tourists, and performers looking for ways to fill their time outside of the airfield.

“The Drive-In had its biggest sale of the year on Saturday, and Bricks on Boundary had the biggest weekend it’s had since we owned it,” said Chandler Edmonds, Operations Manager of the Higgins Family Brands.

Edmonds said Bricks on Boundary saw a 20% increase in sales. They had to shut down the restaurant hours early on Sunday after running out of food to serve.

The HWY 21 Drive-In saw a 40% increase, and the popular Blackstone Café saw a 25% increase this weekend.

“We’re always typically busy, but I mean, you can definitely always tell when something big and exciting is happening in town,” said Vassalle.

In the 5 years Urban Brew + Co. has been open, Vassalle said the air show has consistently brought in a steady crowd of folks looking for caffeine to get through the entirety of the 2-day event.  

“We love to showcase what we do on an even bigger scale than normal.  And it’s always amazing to see the outpouring of the community gathering together over great coffee.”

Business owners said they make sure to prepare their staff and have all hands-on deck before the air show. For some of the businesses, it’s their biggest weekend of the year and they look forward to the next show in 2027.