Air Faire fun
Popular, annual event will begin Saturday at the Ontario Municipal Airport
By Katie Pizza
Argus Observer
Thursday, September 11, 2008 11:16 AM PDT
Ontario — A combination of planes and pancakes will be waiting in the wings for attendees to the Ontario Air-Faire slated to be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Ontario Municipal Airport situated at 581 S.W. 33rd St.
Ontario Air Faire Committee Chairman Roger Smith said the faire has been officially in existence for about five years, growing from an informal breakfast and get-together among pilots to its current incarnation. Smith said attendance has grow steadily in the years following the faire’s creation, with 6,000 in attendance last year. Smith said he expects to see between 6,000 and 8,000 people at this year’s festivities. Another item on the rise is the number of aerobatics shows presented at the faire throughout the years.
“Three or four years ago, we had our first aerobatics act,” he said. “Last year we had two aerobatic acts.”
This year the faire will feature three aerial performers, with pilots Kathy Hirtz, Matt Groth and Dr. Frank Donnelly twisting and turning their planes to perform mid-air dramatic feats before the crowd. These acts, Smith said, will perform every hour on the hour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Besides having their appetites whet for adventure, attendees can also feast on sausage, eggs and pancakes at the faire’s annual breakfast, starting at 8 a.m., with lunch to follow. The breakfast costs $6 and Smith said the lines will move quicker this year, with two cashiers on staff instead of just one.
“The only way we make money is from concessions,” Smith said, restating admission to the event is free.
Those lining up to fill their plates may also see some familiar faces on the other side of the serving spoon. At last Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Joe Dominick encouraged council members to help with the breakfast. Sept. 4, Dominick said “the whole City Council and some of the staff,” would be setting up and serving the food. The staff, he said, would be served at 7 a.m., an hour before the actual breakfast.
“It’s nice,” Smith said. “They get to meet people and people get to meet them.”
However, the excitement does not end at ground level. The faire will also feature one of the largest private warbird collections in the United States, owned by Ontario resident Merle Maine.
This collection features a F-111 fighter bomber, an F-5 Skylancer, F-104 Starfighter, F-86 Sabrejet, Blue Angels A4, F4 Phantom, a Russian MIG 17, 21, 23, T-28, T-33 and other planes. Also at the event will be an Air National Guard Blackhawk helicopter, a Lifeflight helicopter and homebuilt aircraft. Also at ground level will be a car show courtesy of the Idaho Oregon Custom Rod Club. Smith said the faire is important because it raises awareness of the Ontario Municipal Airport.
“We have a lot of airplanes come in and drop executives off,” he said.
At the last council meeting, airport manager Alan Daniels said one aspect of a community on the minds of companies seeking to relocate is whether that city has an airport that is suitable for corporate aircraft.
“The airport is really important for Ontario’s growth,” Smith said.
Smith also said those interested in becoming involved in the Air-Faire Committee, which works throughout the year on the event, should contact him at 739-3979.
“I’d love to have people volunteer,” he said.
