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Flights And Fun At Airport Open House
B25
A few years ago the Oakdale Open House brought guests Old Glory, a B-25 Bomber. This year attendees will have a chance to marvel at the P-51 D Mustang along with a variety of activities on Saturday, Oct. 8. VIRGINIA STILL/THE LEADER

Arrangements for the Oakdale Airport Open House 2016 have been underway for months so mark your calendars for Saturday, Oct. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for this year’s unique gathering of vintage classic and new airplanes along with custom cars. The EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) Young Eagles Program flights will be offered again this year to youth between the ages of 8 and 17. The program has delivered over 2 million free rides nationwide through the years. The young flyers will need to have a parent present and proper consent forms will need to be signed in order to participate in the free airplane rides at the event next Saturday.

“Oakdale Airport holds the annual Open House to build awareness of aviation and relationships with youth and local business and community organizations,” said Don Gutridge, Oakdale Airport Caretaker. “The Open House displays are all new every year.”

Airplane displays are a combination of locally based airplanes and invited guests, and this year, Gutridge said, there will be a classic BT-13 and a P-51D Mustang – both war birds – on display.

“The classic hot rod and antique car show also this year includes specialty cars from the Cobra Experience and a collection from the Horseless Carriage Club,” he added.

In 1928 the first Oakdale Airport Open House had 5000 people in attendance.

The event is sponsored by the City of Oakdale, Oakdale Airport, AdHoc Committee and Oakdale EAA Chapter 90. The display at the event is unique each year which offers guests a special photo opportunity and fun for the kids. Space is limited to 30 aircraft, making the fly-in portion by invitation only. There will be food available for purchase, served up by the Lions Club.

Admission is free and tow plane kiddie rides will offered at no cost to the little ones as well as some fun games, model making, and more.

“We still find people that are longtime residents in Oakdale who don’t even know we have an airport and this is a great opportunity to talk to pilots and see how Oakdale’s role in the US Aviation Transportation System serves our community with transportation, recreation and emergency services operations,” stated Gutridge.

For details go to Oakdale city website, www.oakdalegov.com/oakdale-municipal-airport or call 209-845-3600 or 209-847-1993.