Operation Cow Drop 2026

Chick-fil-A VA Center Marketplace and The Center of the Universe locations invite you to Operation Cow Drop at the Hanover County Airport, Saturday, May 2, 2026 from 10 AM - 3 PM.

This event is a family fun day full of games, family activities, food and so much more!

Admission and parking are FREE

Guests are treated to a variety of experiences throughout the day, including:

Free Activities Include:

• Family Friendly entertainment on the main stage
• Live music
• Horse Petting Area
• Rides on the RVA Express Train
• Archery Area courtesy of Green Top Sporting Goods
• Face Painting (more stations open this year)
• Balloon Art
• Event-wide scavenger hunt with 7 challenges. Scavenger Hunt cards and instructions can be picked up at the Kid's Zone entrance.
• Touch-a-truck area with tow truck, firetruck, police vehicles & RIR NASCAR Pace Car
• Walk-thru hot air balloon area and hot air balloon basket display
• Aviation Area with Civil Air Patrol, VCU Life Evac Helicopter, & more
• Afternoon aviation activities will begin at 1:00 PM with a skydiving demonstration, followed by the drop of 1,600 plush parachute cows at approximately 1:30 PM (two drops of 800 cows each). Once both drops have taken place, guests who have purchased a “Collect-a-Cow” wristband will be escorted to the airfield to retrieve a cow.
• Large vendor area-come ready to shop for special gifts
• Visits from the Chick-fil-A Cows

Activities Requiring a Fee:

• Large Kid's Zone with extraordinary bouncy houses ($10 wristband gets you all day access)
• NEW THIS YEAR......Airfield Collect-a-Cow Experience ($10 entry onto the airfield to choose a plush parachute cow to take home after they safely land)
• Purchase Raffle tickets from Grace Christian School for a chance to win Chick-fil-A for a year for a family of four (tickets $10 each. We will draw for several other prizes too. See raffle tab on home page for more information)
• Come hungry! Several Chick-fil-A registers will be open to serve up some customer favorites
• Kona Ice, Westray's Finest Ice Cream, and other dessert vendors will be on site to satisfy your sweet tooth!

AND MUCH MORE!