All systems are go for Wings & Wheels 2009-a Georgetown Fall Festival on Saturday, October 31 from 10AM-6PM at the Sussex County Airport in Georgetown, DE. The Greater Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Delaware Aviation Museum, Lower Delaware Mustang Club and Southern Delaware Tourism, is hosting this “fly in” of vintage planes & jets and huge classic car show.
Wings & Wheels debuted last year and according to Karen Duffield, Executive Director of the Georgetown Chamber, despite disastrous weather conditions, attendance was very strong for a first time festival, and reaction was extremely positive. “We expect that the 2009 event will be even bigger and better than last year,” Duffield said. “And we have November 1st secured as a rain date in the event mother nature makes a repeat performance of last year.”
Larry Kelley, “fly in” operations chief and pilot is reporting that a Yak-9 WWII Russian fighter, F4U Corsair, L-39 jet, AT-6 Texan, L-16, PT-26, Yak-52, CJ-6, PT-17, as well as, many other classic and vintage aircraft, light sport and ultralight aircraft have been invited to “fly in.” Confirmations are almost impossible to make due to the unpredictability of the weather, but if conditions are favorable, Duffield reports that there will be a fantastic display of aircraft. Rides for purchase are available on select planes by individual reservation, and are listed on www.wings-wheels.com. WWII re-enactors are scheduled to set up “encampments” at the airport, with memorabilia from this historic war period to compliment the many WWII vintage airplanes to be displayed.
The Lower Delaware Mustang Club is organizing the “Wheels” part of the festival with a Car Show that is expected to register hundreds of classic roadsters and award-winning models. Registration is from 8AM-12 Noon and dash plaques will be distributed to the first 100 cars. It is $12 to register. 50 trophies in all will be presented at the awards ceremony at 3:00 PM, including Best in Show.
Some forty or more craft and food vendors from all over Delmarva are setting up and hoping to sell out, along with community and non-profit groups that are distributing free materials. Carnival games, facepainting, sack races and more will also be available for the kids to enjoy.
CAT Country radio station gets the all-day entertainment off to a flying start from 10:30am-12:30pm with a live broadcast from the airport and will offer giveaways, games and prizes to kids of all ages. Moonbeam Entertainment takes over until 3:00 PM with a variety of musical offerings, including Karaoke. The popular Team Trivia Delmarva DJ will finish up the day from 3:00-6:00 PM with more music, and even some ‘wings & wheels –related trivia contests.
New to this year’s event, which just happens to fall on Halloween, is a Costume Contest and a Carved or Decorated Pumpkin Contest sponsored by Chardon Ltd. Jewelers of Georgetown. Prizes will be awarded in both contests to the Funniest, Scariest, Most Original and Best Themed (having to do with planes or cars.) Judging for the pumpkin contest will take place at 2:30 PM and the costume judging will be at 3PM. For more information of these contests, please call Chardon Jewelers at 302-856-7202.
Event sponsors include Wal-Mart, Sussex County Council, Perdue Farms, Tyndall’s Construction, Delmarva Power, A.P. Croll & Son, Fisher Auto Parts, The Insurance Market, The Lighthouse Landing, Delaware National Bank, Sussex Post, CAT Country, and Waste Management. Admission and parking are free, however there will be a preferred parking available this year for $1.00 per car.
For more information and directions to the festival, please visit www.wings-wheels.com or call the Georgetown Chamber at 302-856-1544.
