photo by B25 Liberty
Mark Anton Municipal Airport in Dayton announces their free Wings On Display WWII Airport Day to be held on Saturday, Sept. 6 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Officials said, "In September of 2024 we created the Wings on Display Airport Day with 30 aircraft, live local music, food trucks and a kid’s zone with fun and games. We had a great turnout and a very successful event with over 6,000 visitors. The community response was so great we decided to do it again, and with this year being the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII (September 2nd, 1945), we decided to really focus on creating an event for this celebration.
"We have over 20 WWII warbirds to include: C-47 which was directly involved in the D-Day invasion, B-25 Mitchell bomber, P-51 “Old Crow” Mustang which was once flown by triple ace Bud Anderson, F-4 Wildcat that is the only one in existence that is still flying, F4U Corsair, and many more.
"This is only a third of our program. We have nine other sections of aviation to include our 'Show Stoppers' in which the T-33 Red Knight 'MAGA' jet will be on display. The MAGA jet flew over for President Trumps inauguration. Beechcraft section, flight schools, sporting aircraft, amphibious, show aircraft, Cirrus aircraft sales team from the Knoxville Cirrus delivery center, and a special section highlighting the non-traditional aviation activities - hot air balloon, gliders, hang gliders and sky divers. We will also have 'Chopper Hill,' which will showcase our nations' military with helicopters, military vehicles and the Kelly’s Zeros (a WWII reenacting group who dress in the uniforms and bring memorabilia from the era).
"Finally, we will showcase the CAF Rise Above Tuskegee Airman and W.A.S.P. (Women AirForce Service Pilots). This is a tractor trailer museum which displays memorabilia on the Tuskegee Airmen and the women who delivered aircraft to the front lines of WWII. Inside the trailer they show a presentation on their panoramic screen, and at one point in the video, it makes you feel what it was like to fly in the P-51 Mustang.
For more up to date information, visit www.facebook.com/DaytonTNAirport.
"Outside of aviation we have live local musicians on our stage, over 10 food trucks and a huge Kids' Zone sponsored by Food City," officials said. "The kids’ zone will have attractions and carnival games, alongside educational booths and delicious snacks.
"Why do we do this? In a world where the average family spends $150 to just go to see a movie, we wanted to create an event for everyone to enjoy and to make it free. Family togetherness, a young child’s eyes lit up with excitement, or inspiring a young person to get into aviation is all the payment we need here at Mark Anton Municipal Airport. After all our goal and motto is 'To inspire the youth of today to be the aviators of tomorrow.'
"We also wish to honor all the brave service men and women from the greatest generation America ever had.
"What can the public do to get involved? We will have a Jumbo-Tron screen in the center of the tarmac, and we will host a
memorial video in which we will have pictures of your families' WWII veterans displayed in a very nice video. The cost is only $10 per picture, and you can upload the photo through email at airshow2025@daytontn.net. From there it will generate an email back to you with instructions to pay for your photos. It will also be displayed on our Facebook group page. The cutoff date for submissions is Aug. 25.
"If you wish to donate to the event, simply type 'donation' in the email and it will again send you an email with directions to do so. All proceeds go to help keep the program free for all. We also have several sponsorship opportunities still available, and you can call 423-309-1766 for more information on how to be a part of the show."
photo by P51 Liberty