The admission-free event continues 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 16.
“Everybody’s been having fun,” said Dewey Davenport, Barnstorming Carnival founder and event emcee. “We’ve been active since we opened. We’ve had really good demographics, a lot of families have come out to enjoy the day with us.”
The event drew participants from North Carolina and Wisconsin to support Davenport. Others such as Duane Jones, a carnival returnee who brought back his 1946 Aeronca 7AC Champion aircraft, were from as near as New Carlisle.
“It brings a good light to the community and it’s a chance to show people what they don’t usually get to see,” Jones said.
Wyatt Sexton, 18-months, was eager to leave his stroller to hop in the Aeronca’s cockpit to the amusement of his parents, Tim and Rachel Sexton of Xenia, and Jones.
“Wyatt wanted to get in there. He loves driving anything that moves,” said Rachel Sexton. Meanwhile sister Sophie preferred the comfort of the stroller.
Kids were also drawn to fun activities such as bounce houses, clowns and could create their own rockets. A rocket building workshop is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, followed by a rocket launch at 4 p.m. for $5.
While some preferred being grounded, others had their heads in the clouds. Lines were constant for biplane rides, available for a separate fee.
Amanda Anderson of Galloway, Ohio near Columbus is an aviation buff and was excited pre-flight to ride in the open cockpit of a New Standard D25 biplane that was new to this year’s carnival.
She beamed while her son Logan, 12, confessed to being a little nervous before his first flight ever. On the bright side, he’ll have quite a tale to tell his friends when school starts again.
“I wish I’d have done this before,” Amanda Anderson said.
Lane Berry has had plenty of flight experience as a former paratrooper. The Knoxville, Tenn. resident was in the area for a reunion in Fairborn of his 82nd Airborne unit and this was another way to enjoy the visit.
The goal was to get his girlfriend to experience a biplane flight. Berry’s nickname is, ironically, “Dirt.”
“If she didn’t get back without motor oil on her face she didn’t do it right,” Berry said, smiling. His description of the flight was “smooth.”
The carnival has drawn as many as 4,000 previously and Davenport said he wouldn’t be surprised if more attended this year and looks forward to continuing the tradition.
For more information on the Barnstorming Carnival, go to www.barnstormingcarnival.com.
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