Ocean City Airport Festival

The 26th annual Ocean City Airport Festival is set for Sat., Sept. 17 at the Airport, 26^th and Bay Ave. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Airport’s grounds will be packed with unusual air planes. There will be an awards ceremony at 2 p.m. for the most outstanding aircraft on display.

Highlight of the ground display will be a rare Mitchell World War II B 25 Bomber that gained fame for its flexibility and durability during that conflict. It was brought to national attention in April of 1942 when General Jimmy Doolittle led 15 B-25’s from the aircraft carrier “Hornet” in America’s first attack on mainland Japan. The B-25 will take off from the Airport at the conclusion of the Festival at 3 p.m. It was made available to Ocean City by the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum.

Among the many other features of the event will be an exciting Kite display by Air Circus of Ocean City from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the Airport’s runway. Various stunt kites will literally dance in the air operated by Doug Jewell and his team of kite enthusiasts.

At 12:30 p.m., the N.J.Pine Barrens RC Club will present an exciting model airplane display. Some of the miniature jets will attain speeds of over 100 miles per hour while performing exciting maneuvers.

The event will be child friendly with a paper airplane making and flying contest at 11 a.m. There will be categories for children from 4 to 12. First place winners will receive a free ride on a real airplane, the Red Baron. A paper clip sculpting contest will be held during the day, plus a yo yo demonstration and Bubble display by Air Circus. There will be free face painters.

The youth band 1-2-3 Draw will entertain. There is a mini playground at the entrance to the airport.

There will be an antique auto display with a Runway Parade at 11:20 a.m., helicopter and airplane rides for a fee, and much more. Refreshments will be available.