McHENRY — The public is invited to the fourth annual Garrett County Airport Fly-In from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21.
The free event will showcase the airport as a key asset to the region that contributes to its distinctive quality of life.
“The event was begun to raise community awareness regarding the airport,” said Ed Kelley, airport manager. “People can talk to the pilots and hear their stories.”
The fly-in offers area residents and guests a rare chance to get up close and personal with aircraft of all sorts. These will include biplanes, small jets, restored warbirds and a host of other models among an estimated 35 planes ranging in origin from the 1940s to the present.
Helicopters and emergency vehicles, including fire engines and ambulances, also will be on display.
The Mountain Top Cruisers Car Club of Oakland will hold a classic car show featuring antique models, hot rods and dragsters from the 1950s to the present. The first 75 cars will receive dash plaques.
Radio-controlled aircraft demonstrations also will be presented.
Local vendors will offer burgers, hot dogs and other picnic fare for purchase, and a candy drop from a helicopter is also planned.
“From its humble beginnings as a small grass airstrip in the 1940s, the airport has recently been transformed into a modern, general aviation facility with a 5,000-foot runway and new terminal,” Kelley said.
Other updates include an automated weather observation system, pilots’ planning room, lobby waiting area, self-service fueling and 24 T-hangars for aircraft storage.
Charter service and sightseeing tours are also available. Renovations have helped the county-owned airport generate additional business revenues from air passenger and freight and ground support services to support the region’s economic development.