Menu
Airport Appreciation Days set this Saturday, Sunday
Whether flying high or running hard, things should be on the move this weekend at the Putnam County Regional Airport.
Airport Appreciation Days will return to the airport, 595 Ballard Ln., Greencastle, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10 and from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11.
While the two-day celebration of the local airport will featured plenty of activities, it always centers on the Young Eagle Rally conducted by Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 1374. Children 8-17 will be able to get a free airplane ride during the rally. They will receive a certificate and logbook to document the flight. A parent or guardian must be present.
“We’ve been doing Airport Appreciation Days for several years, and I think in the two days, we’ll fly over 200 kids if we have two good days,” event co-chairman J.R. Scott said. “I think it’s a real opportunity for kids and adults alike to understand a little more about aviation and about the airport itself.”
Festivities open at 9 a.m. Saturday with the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Covered Bridge Harmony.
Shortly afterward it will be wheels up, not just for the Young Eagles, but also for paid rides from Cliff Robinson and his bi-plane, PDM Aviation and rides on “The Spanish Lady,” a World-War II-era T6 trainer.
Those in attendance will also have the chance to learn more about possible futures in aviation or the armed forces from the Indiana State University Department of Aviation Technology, the Indiana National Guard or, on Sunday only, the United States Air Force.
There will also be other aircraft on display during the event, including gyrocopters from PRA Chapter 34.
Up in the air won’t be the only way to get moving on Saturday, though, as Beyond Homeless Inc. has partnered with Airport Appreciation Days to present the Hero for the Homeless 5K from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday.
In this non-competitive, family-friendly event, participants are invited to start at the airport and wander People Pathways back to the finish line while making a difference for local families.
Individual registration is $25 or $50 for families up to four.
To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/426c6maa.
All proceeds will benefit Beyond Homeless, Putnam County’s homeless shelter and resource center, in its efforts to move families beyond homelessness.
Other entertainment will include inflatables by Big Bounce Fun House and music from Fig’s Follies, DJ Jim Figgy Hardwick.
Food vendors will include Final Approach restaurant, Blondy’s Giant Tenderloins (Saturday only), Greencastle Lions Club, Geno’s Kettle Club and Boba Time Drinks.
Other vendors inclues Abstract and Title, Christian Motorcyclist Association (Saturday), Between the Line Book Art, The Brown Lab Boutique, Habitat for Humanity, Greencastle Rotary Club, Bobbie Lancaster-Trades of Hope, Kim Duell-Scentsy, Greencastle Police Department, Greencastle Fire Department smokehouse, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Putnam County EMS, Putnam County CERT, St. Vincent Stat Flight and Putnam County Recovery Coaltion.
Overall, it’s simply a weekend to celebrate the Putnam County Regional Airport and what it means to the community.
“It’s an outstanding facility and it’s been good for local commerce,” Scott said. “If we didn’t have it, Crown wouldn’t be here. POET uses it. DePauw uses it regularly. LIFT Academy uses it for training. We have StatFlight right here because of it.”