HOULTON, Maine — Plan to make a trip to the Houlton International Airport for the second annual Wings and Wheels/Cruise-in on Saturday.
Last year, 1,500 people attended.
The event begins at 7 a.m., with different activities and shows lined up.
“While last year was a fun, low-tech gathering, 2014 will be packed with enough excitement to promise a whole day of family fun,” said Jane Torres, executive director of the Houlton Chamber of Commerce and one of the event’s organizers.
The idea for a “fly-in” formed when Torres, former Town Manager Eugene Conlogue and Houlton’s Economic and Community Development Director Lori Weston were brainstorming new ideas to draw people to the town. The suggestion was “put on the back burner” for a couple of months, but was resurrected when Jon Miller called Torres seeking help in putting together an advertisement for cruise-ins in a statewide magazine.
“I asked Jon what he thought about doing a fly-in/cruise-in and he loved it,” Torres said. “It snow balled from there.”
Since private planes like to arrive early, organizers will be offering a breakfast buffet from 7-9:30 a.m. The buffet is also open to anyone in the community who would like to join the pilots. Cost of the breakfast buffet is $7.
After breakfast, the opening ceremonies begin at 10 a.m.
The Vacationland Skydivers will open and close the show with precision jumping. According to Torres, there are several people who are committed to tandem jumping, including the town’s community development director, Weston.
Also on tap are aerobatic demonstrations by the Jim Parker Airshows at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
“Jim has been performing in his Pitts routine for years and promises a thrilling presentation,” Torres said.
The Forestry Service will be at the airport with their helicopter, which will be flying in and then doing a water drop.
“A water drop entails gathering up water from a local lake then dropping it on a burning target,” explained Torres. “This fire-fighting demonstration will be held in the afternoon and is really a sight to see!”
The Border Patrol and Homeland Security will participate again with flying and static displays. Last year they were a huge presence in the day’s activities and this year will be adding to the event by staging a mock takedown complete with canine demonstrations.
The Sheriff’s Department will also be joining in this year.
“They will be bringing their canine team to offer a glimpse in the importance of what they do in our community and beyond,” said Torres. “We hope to have a hot air balloon, as well.”
The hot air balloon is owned by Houlton native and former fixed base operator at the airport Terry Larson. Larson has a private license to pilot the balloon, but will not be able to take passengers. However, the colorful balloon will certainly be a focal point of the activities throughout the day.
Filling out the day are Acadia Air Tours and the Vacationland Skydiving.
“Acadia Air Tours will be bringing two biplanes up from Trenton, and they will be offering rides,” said Torres. “There will be a fee for this, but the community is not offered many opportunities to ride in an antique plane and get an aerial view of area.
“The Vacationland skydivers will open and close the event, but will also be offering the chance to tandem jump throughout the day,” she added. “We will keep people posted about the cost involved as soon as we get the information.”
If that isn’t enough, there will be folks on the ground with their classic and antique cars and ATVs.
“The cruise-in is going to be a huge part of the day,” Torres explained.
Organizers already have heard from a Corvette Club, which is bringing 20 cars, along with a British Racing Car Club from Fredericton.
“We expect at least 100 cars, perhaps more,” Torres added.
Jon Miller from Northern Maine Motor Society will be coordinating the cruise-in.
“This is not a structured car show, but an opportunity to join the event on a different level and hang out with other car enthusiasts,” said Torres. “The Aroostook Riders ATV Club will have a poker run around a five-and-a-half mile loop beginning and ending at Houlton International Airport.”
Throughout the day, vendors will be selling a variety of items, including handmade crafts to an assortment of concessions.
“Houlton International Airport is truly a hidden treasure that has a great historical past, which will be highlighted throughout the day with presentations by representatives of the Aroostook County Historical and Art Museum,” Torres said. “Many of our older folks remember the days when the airport was used by the Air Force as a camp for German prisoners of war.”
At one time there were 4,000 people at the Air Force base and planes were towed across the border to Canada to aid the war effort.
“The schedule for the day is ambitious and can only come together with help from a lot of people,” Torres said.
Support for the event will be provided by the Civil Air Patrol, Houlton Rotary, Houlton Fire Department, Sheriff’s Department, Greater Houlton Christian Academy, Beal’s Air Services, along with many more.
