Spectacular Events Planned for Saturday’s Free Air Show

Pix from 2013 Air Show

Early Saturday risers can head out to the Lamar Municipal Airport and enjoy a Smokin’ Willie’s BBQ breakfast starting at 7:30am with the sound of airplane motors revving up the rpm’s. It’s the prelude to entertainment displays and air shows for Fly Lamar, an updated and expanded Fly In, planned by the Lamar Airport Board and Chana Reed.

Last year’s event combined area planes with several YAK type aircraft which displayed acrobatics in the air. Several model radio controlled planes put on a demonstration for the public and various aircraft were displayed on the tarmac.  Peter Page, board chairman, said members decided to rejuvenate the entertainment aspect to draw a larger crowd.  “We expect from 15 to 20 YAK aircraft coupled with a professional air show that will put on aerobatic displays.”  He added, “We have two performers, rowerairshows.com and donnelsonairshows.com that will put on their show starting at 11am, as well as a professional announcer who will keep the crowd informed and entertained.”   Page said the airport will be closed to commercial traffic for the hour the show is underway.

“We’ll watch an air tanker fire drop extinguish a pile of burning pallets and a demonstration of commercial air spraying with Danny Tinnes,” he explained. One of the highlights will be skydiving demonstrations.  “We expect this group will take citizens up for their first skydiving experience, but there will probably be a nominal charge,” Page added.  Remote control planes will put on demonstrations and a drawing for a radio controlled plane will be held at 11am for entries 18 years and under.  You must be present to win.

“Ron Cook has also been helping organize a car show that will feature about 12 to 15 cars and motorcycles and Smokin’ Willie will provide a BBQ lunch.” Page noted that this past weekend, some residents came out to the airport believing the show was being held.  “That was the Air Force.  They come out about this same time each year to provide training for their glider pilots,” he noted.  “One of the things that has helped this year’s performance come together is local merchants and sponsorships.  “The air show will be an opportunity to see what improvements have been done to the airport, from the new hangars being constructed to the $700,000 improvements to the runway.”  He thanked members of the airport board for their work including Deen Reed, Cameron Rogers, Burt Heckman, Richard Wollert and Chana Reed for helping promote the event.

By Russ Baldwin