For Immediate Release (July 2017)
The 10th Annual Hagerstown Flying Circus will take to the skies over Hagerstown, Indiana from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 18. The free event promises to be bigger and better than ever since it began as part of the 2008 Ford Model T Celebration.
Many of the nation’s top pilots, including those who are featured in aviation films led by Andrew King, will arrive all day and will be featured in the main event beginning at 6 p.m. There will be flying competitions, featuring precision landing and flour bombing on a painted X from high altitudes.
“More than 40 aircraft are expected to land here, including two open cockpit bi-planes that may be offering rides like last year,” said Denny Burns who chairs the event, sponsored by the Hagerstown Optimist Club. “The ‘gates’ open at 2 p.m., but really there are no gates, the event is free so we don’t need gates.”
Over 3,000 fans attended last year said Burns, adding, “The only problem we’ve had is the congestion on Washington Street between 5:30 and 6 p.m. “We encourage everyone to come as early as possible and for those who most leave early, it would be very helpful if they could plan leave the airport before 5:30 p.m. or after 6:30 p.m. this year.”
The Optimist Club will be serving an expanded menu and there will be a wide variety of vendors offering: Ice cream, kettle corn, snow cones, cotton candy, honey, jams, molasses, candles, art prints, organic dog and cat treats, baby shower gifts, accessories, official t-shirts, all nine years’ collectable Flying Circus posters and much more.
Brent Meadows will sing the National Anthem as the American Legion Post 333 Honor Guard presents the colors at 6 p.m.
“We expect pilots and aircraft from Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Maryland, North Carolina and Arkansas,” said Denny Burns, Optimist Club’s event chair. The pilots especially enjoy visiting with folks of all ages, explaining the workings of their perfectly restored planes, nearly all from the World War II era and earlier.
The event has always been free, thanks to the generosity of the pilots who are flying on to the nation’s largest vintage air show in Oshkosh, WI later in the week. The rain date is Wednesday, July 19, 2017.
Any vendors interested in setting up a tent at the airport may call Mary Anne Butters at: (765) 886-5098. And everyone’s invited to visit the Hagerstown Flying Circus: Facebook page
For more information, contact:Denny Burns, Optimist Club’s Event Chair (765) 993-2240
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