By Matt Mueller Culture Editor Published Jul 20, 2022 at 12:56 PM

UPDATE: Due to a delay from Paramount Pictures, this screening has been postponed. For any updates on a future date, stay tuned to OnMilwaukee.

Thanks to "Top Gun: Maverick" soaring at the summer box office, we're all feeling the need for speed. And that includes Milwaukee Downtown and Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, who will play wingmen for a special outdoor screening of the original 1986 blockbuster "Top Gun" on Friday, Aug. 19 – aka National Aviation Day.

Hosted at 7 p.m. at Museum Center Park – found at 910 E. Michigan St. – the free screening will start with entertainment from DJ Shawna, games and food options from Da Udder Spot, Cottonmouth MKE, Kona Ice and Pop’s Kettle Corn. (Outside picnic food is allowed as well.) Then, at approximately 8 p.m. or whenever sundown hits, "Top Gun" will take off on a 40x20 big screen with the skyline and the stars serving as the theater. 

“This is a unique opportunity on National Aviation Day to support the local community that has supported our hometown airport. Choosing to fly from the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport helps us get more flights, creates jobs, fuels our economy, and helps Milwaukee succeed,” said Airport Director Brian Dranzik, in a release. "We invite everyone to stop by Museum Center Park, enjoy some free popcorn from the Airport and experience the thrill of the original 'Top Gun.'"

"We’re thrilled to partner with MKE Airport to present ‘Top Gun’ as you’ve never seen before," said Beth Weirick, CEO of Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21, in a release. "We’re excited to add this outdoor movie night to a string of free community events as part of our Summer in the City series and conclusion of our highly-anticipated Downtown Employee Appreciation Week."

For more information about the free screening – or the rest of MKE Downtown's plans for the great Milwaukee summer – click here. And we'll see you all on the highway to the danger zone next month!

Matt Mueller Culture Editor

As much as it is a gigantic cliché to say that one has always had a passion for film, Matt Mueller has always had a passion for film. Whether it was bringing in the latest movie reviews for his first grade show-and-tell or writing film reviews for the St. Norbert College Times as a high school student, Matt is way too obsessed with movies for his own good.

When he's not writing about the latest blockbuster or talking much too glowingly about "Piranha 3D," Matt can probably be found watching literally any sport (minus cricket) or working at - get this - a local movie theater. Or watching a movie. Yeah, he's probably watching a movie.