From the editor's desk: Check out the Air Faire
By pat Caldwell
Sunday, September 7, 2008 12:32 AM PDT
Area residents can secure a good time fairly easily next weekend when the annual Ontario Air Faire kicks off at the Ontario Municipal Airport.
The event — sponsored by the Ontario Air Faire Committee, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the city of Ontario — begins at 8 a.m. Saturday morning with a breakfast.
The event ends at 4 p.m.
The air faire includes aerobatic shows, a car show and a number of static plane displays. Helicopter and aerobatic rides will also be available.
The local area is host to a number of interesting, not to mention fun, events every year. Key events, such as the Weiser Old-time Fiddler’s Contest, highlight the summer, but the Ontario Air Faire is a gateway, of sorts, to autumn in the western Treasure Valley.
The Ontario Air Faire evolved through the years into a truly first-class event. The people behind the event should be lauded for their efforts.
I think my fascination for planes goes back to when I was a child. For one, my father always seemed to be very interested in planes, especially World War II-era aircraft.
The reason for the interest was simple: He spent more than three years of his young life fighting in the Pacific Theater of operations, and I believe those vintage aircraft held more than just a passing interest for him.
For one, I’m fairly certain, those planes — P-38s P-51 Mustangs (the Cadillac of the skies) — probably saved his life a few times.
I also had an uncle, June Blackburn, who was a Naval pilot during World War II. He was assigned to the USS Enterprise and took part in a number of major naval engagements — including the battle of Midway — during the war.
June never said a whole bunch to me about World War II and his service. In fact, the only thing I can recall he told me about his service was the fact he flew into Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack and was nearly shot down by fellow Americans.
There would be the occasional air show that would pop up in La Grande while I was growing up, but they were few and far between.
When they did arrive, though, I would pester just about everyone in our household to go the event. I didn’t have to pester my dad very much. He was always an easy sell for an air show.
Next Sunday’s event is not an “air show” per se, but it will have lots of airplanes and aerobatic events for the public to enjoy.
The Ontario Air Faire is really one of those quiet success stories no one gives much thought. The event started in a modest fashion but has grown every year.
We’ve been able to chart that growth because we’ve covered it every year. And, each year, the number of people, the number of special events, increase.
There will be plenty of static displays at the Air Faire next week and plenty to do.
And the best part? It’s free. That’s a pretty hard price to beat.
Obviously the Air Faire is not the only event gracing our local area in the next few months.
Yet the Ontario Air Faire is the first, truly big autumn happening for the local area.
There will be plenty to do, lots of airplanes to enjoy and, based on previous events, a great number of spectators.
The Ontario Air Faire is truly a community gem. The entertainment is free, and it is sponsored by local organizations and made possible by local people.
So don’t miss out. Check out the Ontario Air Faire next weekend.
Pat Caldwell is the editor of the Argus Observer. He can be contacted at PatC@argusobserver.com
