MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The Murfreesboro Municipal Airport will once again take flight with creativity and curiosity as it hosts its 4th Annual Airport STEAM Fest on October 14 (Tuesday) and 18 (Saturday), in partnership with the Discovery Center’s Tennessee STEAM Festival (Oct. 10–26, 2025).
Two exciting events are planned this year: an art show on Tuesday, Oct. 14 from 4–6 p.m., featuring tail-livery artwork by Murfreesboro City School students, and the main Airport STEAM Fest on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 9 a.m.–1 p.m., filled with hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
The art show will feature 65 student-designed airline liveries, creative tail designs inspired by each Murfreesboro City School. The artwork will remain on display through November at the airport’s terminal lobby at 1930 Memorial Blvd.
The Saturday event will bring Vanderbilt LifeFlight, U.S. military drones, a Blackhawk helicopter, and Middle Tennessee State University Aerospace exhibits to the airport ramp, along with flight simulators, aircraft tours, and interactive STEAM stations. City departments will also showcase police, fire, and public works vehicles, while guests enjoy free hot dogs and activities for all ages.
Airport Director Chad Gehrke said the festival inspires future innovators... “This year’s STEAM Fest offers more vehicles, more games, and more fun activities than ever. You never know how this fun experience might inspire the next pilot, drone operator, police office, firefighter, or engineer to create innovative designs and solve problems.”
Airport Manager Ryan Hulsey added, “Thanks to our many participating sponsors who participate in these unique flying educational opportunities.”
The list of participants at the Murfreesboro Airport STEAM Festival event includes:
- The 101st Airborne Division: AH-64 Drone Division
- TN Army National Guard: UH-60 (Blackhawk)
- Cirrus Aircraft
- ConiAir Charter aircraft
- Murfreesboro City Police: Law Enforcement Technology
- Murfreesboro City Fire and Rescue: Ladder 6
- Middle Tennessee State University: jet and piston engines on display to see all the inner workings of the engine and show off the aircraft that train future airline pilots and drone operators
- Vanderbilt LifeFlight: see one of their active service medical evac helicopters
- Microsoft Flight Simulator: fly the same plane you just sat in right out of MBT
- Murfreesboro Street Department
- Murfreesboro Solid Waste Department
- Murfreesboro Parks & Recreation
- Civil Air Patrol
- The Veterans of Foreign Wars and more
For more information and the full list of exhibits, visit murfreesborotn.gov/2385/Airport-STEAM-Festival or the Tennessee STEAM Festival website. The Murfreesboro Municipal Airport is a city-owned, public-use airport located at 1930 Memorial Blvd, Murfreesboro, TN 37130.
Airport: The City completed construction of a new Municipal Airport Terminal in 2020, replacing the old terminal built in 1952. The new 16,000-sqaure-foot terminal includes a large main lobby with raised and ground level observation areas, lounge seating, a large leasable business conference center, smaller conference room space, pilot lounge, and office space.
For more information on the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport, visit the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport webpage at https://www.murfreesborotn.gov/95/Airport
Discovery Center: The Discovery Center is a hands-on children's museum, nature center, and wetlands boardwalk located near downtown Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The museum features themed exploration areas focused on town life, science, transportation, and nature—including interactive exhibits on trains, cars, a fire engine, and a farmers market.
