How to go
What: Barnstorming Carnival
Where: Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport and Airpark, 1251 W. Blee Road, Springfield
When: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Admission: no cost; some activities require a fee
More info: 937-877-0837 or www.barnstormingcarnival.com
Picture the wonder of seeing a biplane back when aviation was just getting off the ground 80-90 years ago. Then imagine the thrill of the wind whipping through your hair as you fly in an open cockpit.
That’s the excitement the area’s first Barnstorming Carnival looks to recapture when it comes to Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport and Airpark on Saturday and Sunday.
Barnstorming was a form of traveling airshow done by early pilots in the 1920s and 1930s who would fly to different cities to show off their aircraft and offer paid rides to a fascinated public.
Event organizer Dewey Davenport’s goal is to spread the appreciation of early aviation and biplanes, open-cockpit planes with two wings stacked on top of each other.
“Every kid loves airplanes, and this is the chance to see some you don’t come across much,” he said. “You’ll learn about the golden age of aviation.”
Davenport, who grew up building model planes, would go on to acquire a 1929 biplane, a model of which less than 40 are still flying according to him.
He’ll be joined by several friends from around the country with their planes, and many will be on display.
Attendees can also ride in certain planes for $80 a flight. For those who prefer things closer to the ground, a custom car cruise-in featuring Ford Model A cars will be included.
Other activities will include skydiving and model plane demonstrations, a rocket-building workshop and bounce houses for kids. The latter are paid activities.
Saturday will begin with a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. and conclude at 8:30 p.m. with a free outdoor showing of the documentary film “Barnstormers” at Young’s Jersey Dairy, featuring some of the guest pilots.
Davenport said this first Barnstorming Carnival will gauge community interest and could set it up as an annual summer event.
“We’ll have a lot of friends helping out, so we hope everyone can come out, learn some of the history and just have a good time.”
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