Saturday is almost here and the weather report for Saturday is highs in the upper 70’s and partly cloudy. Just what we requested. Looking like it is going to be a great day for everyone to come out and enjoy the festivities.
However, on Friday sometime around 5:30 PM you might hear a loud rumble in the skies over Bloomington/Normal. If you look up you just might glance a F/A-18 Hornet being flown by CAPT. Charles Sprietsma of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 (VMFA-251) as he flies over the town before landing.
CAPT. Charles Sprietsma is the son of a town local and Museum member, LT. COL. Chuck “Dutch” Sprietsma (Retired USMC) who flew the Museum’s A-4M Skyhawk when it was in active service.
Later in the evening, sometime around 7:30 PM you might also be able to see the C-130 Hercules flying in for display during the event. Thank you to Barker Motor Company for providing transportation to the crew of the C-130.
Some of you might have been a recipient of one of the 38,000 3×3 stickers that went out on Thursdays Pantagraph. If you received one be sure to bring that sticker in for a chance to win a free membership at the Prairie Aviation Museum.
EAA Young Eagles will be offering Young Eagle flights for kids ages 8 to 17 years…FREE!!!!! The will start flights at 9AM and continue until around 2:30PM.
Helicoptor rides will be available for $35 per person.
Image Air will be doing charter flights at $30 per person with 3 people per plane.
An OSF Lifeflight Helicopter has been arranged to come to the event.
The 501st Legion has spread the magic of the Star Wars genre through its authentic-looking costumes and we will have members of the Midwest Garrison in attendance. There will also be “Droid Hunt” that will be done in which children will have a chance to win prizes.
A face painter will also be on site part of the day.
The local VFW will hold the opening ceremonies at 9AM and post colors.
The time of the event is Saturday, September 20, 2008 from 9:00AM until 5:00PM admission is $5 per person donation and children 5 and under are free.
Not only is the event only $5 to get into but here is the breakdown of food and prices offered.
- Butterfly pork chops: $3
- Hamburgers $2
- Hot Dog $1
- Chips $.75
- Soda or Water $1
We will also be offering breakfast prior to the event from 7AM-9AM. For $5 you get pancakes and sausage with coffee and orange juice, (Pancakes Unlimited)
There will be a a volunteer security briefing on Thursday Sept 18 starting at 7PM at the Challenger Learning Center. If you are interested in volunteering please come to the meeting or email brad@prairieaviationmuseum.org or damarten@comcast.net
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A Message from the 501st Legion, Midwest Garrison;
Members of the 501st Legion, Midwest Garrison and assorted Rebel Scum and Jedi will be present on Saturday. A “DROID HUNT” will be carried out during the day. What this means is that 250 droid cards will be handed out to children as they enter the event. Imperial Troops will then be seeking the badges which must be openly displayed. When asked,”HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD THIS DROID?” the child can either respond in character or use his or her “JEDI MIND TRICK” card. Only 25 of these will be handed out. When used the first time the card must be surrendered. If no “MIND TRICK” card is used then the child must surrender the card in trade for a raffle ticket for a drawing for Star Wars Toys at 3:00pm winners must be present. Losing tickets at the end of the drawing can be traded for their Droid Card as a souvenir of the day.
A Temporary Tatoo station will be set up at our display until 3:00pm.
The membership will be pleased to pose for pictures the entire day.
We are thrilled to have been invited back.
Also, we are still a go for having some active military aircraft at the event. These would be a C-130 Hercules and 2 F/A-18 Hornets.
Not only is the event only $5 to get into but here is the breakdown of food and prices offered.
- Butterfly pork chops: $3
- Hamburgers $2
- Hot Dog $1
- Chips $.75
- Soda or Water $1
We will also be offering breakfast prior to the event. For $5 you get pancakes and sausage with coffee and orange juice, (Pancakes Unlimited)
Other updates;
An OSF Lifeflight has been arranged and has been preliminarily agreed to come to the event.
The Life Flight program is solely operated by OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois. Life Flight provides rapid stabilization and transportation for the critically ill or injured patients from the scene of an emergency or during interhospital transfer
A private businessman in Peoria will be bringing in a Mitsubishi MU-2
The Prairie Aviation Museum DC-3 will be available for walk thru.
We will have helicopter rides offered for this event, more information about pricing to come one this.
EAA Young Eagles will be offering Young Eagle flights for kids ages 8 to 17 years…FREE!!!!!
This year we should have some active military aircraft on hand for the event. Eligibility letters from the Air Force and Marine Corps has been received. We are working with the National Air Guard out of Peoria to get a C-130 in.
On the Marine side we are working to get a F/A-18 from VMFA-251. The pilot of this F/A-18 would be CAPT. Charles Sprietsma son of LT. COL. Chuck “Dutch” Sprietsma (Retired USMC) who flew the Museum’s A-4M Skyhawk when it was in active service.
If you are interested in volunteering at this event please send an email to brad@prairieaviationmuseum.org or damarten@comcast.net
More info to come….
Approval from the Army has been recieved and we are currently working to get some military aircraft. On our request list are Blackhawk and Chinnok helicopters.
Pending on a response from the Air Force for our request there. Requesting a C-130 Hercules and possibly trying to get a F-16 Falcon.
Pending on a response from the Air Force for our request of a F/A-18.
Will post more information as it rolls in.
The second annual “Day at The Airport” will be held Saturday, September 20, 2008 from 9:00AM until 5:00PM on the ramp area between Image Air and the CLC. Entrance will be through the Museum and a $5 per person donation is requested. Children 5 and under are free.
This event is a throwback to early airport activities of the Prairie Aviation Museum and will be an extension of increasingly popular Open Cockpit Days. The emphasis will be on creating an educational display of static aircraft for the general public, particularly children, to explore and enjoy. Aircraft in the airpark will be open as in a typical Open Cockpit Day.
It’s been many years since so many groups worked together to create an airport activity. It will not be a jet team-filled air show, but it will be entertaining for those who miss the air show days in Bloomington.