Tomorrow's 4th of July celebration at the Palm Springs Air Museum will be much more than just fireworks We're proud to celebrate America's 250th anniversary brought to you by your Southern California Ford dealers The museum's annual Allies in Liberty cele

The Palm Springs Air Museum is inviting the community to celebrate Independence Day with a unique blend of history, aviation and patriotism during its annual Allies in Liberty celebration on Saturday.The event, which also commemorates America's 250th birthday, begins at 2 p.m. and features vintage military aircraft, live music, food, family-friendly activities and one of the Coachella Valley's most anticipated Fourth of July traditions — a valley-wide flyover.The flyover will include four historic aircraft: a C-47 Skytrain, two P-51 Mustangs and a T-28 Trojan, each representing an important chapter in military aviation history.Palm Springs Air Museum Managing Director Fred Bell says the celebration is also an opportunity to honor the men and women who have served in the nation's armed forces. Palm Springs played an important role during World War II as one of the nation's largest Army Air Forces training and transfer bases, making the event especially meaningful for the community.Among the featured aircraft is a P-51 Mustang that helped the Allies gain air superiority over Europe during World War II. A second Mustang is painted in honor of Tuskegee Airman Bob Friend, whose squadron became known for protecting Allied bombers during combat missions.Visitors will also see the legendary C-47 Skytrain, which General Dwight D. Eisenhower credited as one of the key aircraft that helped win World War II. The versatile aircraft transported troops and cargo throughout the European campaign.Also taking part in the flyover is a T-28 Trojan, a military trainer aircraft based in nearby El Centro that continues to educate pilots while preserving aviation history.In addition to the flying demonstrations, visitors can explore the museum's extensive collection, including a replica of the 1909 Blériot XI—the first military airplane to see combat—which was assembled by the museum's engineering team. Guests can also view Darkstar, the hypersonic aircraft created for the film "Top Gun: Maverick."Museum officials say the Allies in Liberty celebration is about more than honoring military history. It is also a chance for families to connect with Palm Springs' rich aviation heritage while celebrating the nation's 250th birthday.Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley. For more Coachella Valley News visit NBCPalmSprings.com