by justin strawser
SELINSGROVE - The second annual Aviation Heritage Days is expected to be a "huge deal" for the Selinsgrove area, Jim Taylor, event organizer and manager of Penn Valley Airport said.
"It's a full-blown air show you have to go the big city to see that will be right here in the Susquehanna Valley," said Taylor about this weekend's two-day event.
Last year, a smaller one-day show attracted an estimated 10,000 people. This weekend's show is expected to bring in between 20,000 and 40,000, Taylor reported. These numbers are based on airport and PennDOT estimates.
"It's tough now," said Taylor in reference to the economy. "You can bring your kids here and spend money for a ticket, and spend the whole day here."
Also, the children should love it as much as parents, he said, noting, "When I was a kid, I used to pretend I was an airplane."
The show at 100 Airport Road, located near the Susquehanna Valley Mall, goes from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
There will be 25 static aircraft on display, more than three hours of flying and 30 vendors for food, clothing and memorabilia, he said.
Scheduled entertainment and shows include Iron Eagles, Jim Beasley's P51, Air Heritage's Tribute to the Vietnam Vets, Charlie Schwenker Extra 300, Jerry Wells Bucker Jungmeister, Kevin Russo SNJ, Randy DeVer YAK, Kirk Wicker Cub Comedy, Kendall Simpson Pitts, Cliff Roberson Stearman and more. Visitors can take plane rides in a vintage aircraft for between $100 and $425.
Children may also enjoy a bounce house, puppet shows and face paintings.
There will be free parking at the mall and a free shuttle to the airport. Paid parking, which will benefit the local Boy Scouts, is available on neighboring Haven Homes land and airport land. Handicapped parking will be available in the airport lot. There will also be traffic watchers providing updates and advisories on 98.3 FM throughout the weekend.
Tickets cost $15 at the gate. Children 10 years and under and all veterans are admitted for free. Profits will benefit next year's air show and airport improvements.
On the Web: http://www.aviationheritagedays.com