FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
| Elizabeth Evans, (757) 420-6944; (757) 335-7885 mobile eevans@cahoonandcross.com |
Wayne Harris (252) 338-0169 director@discoverec.com |
to Elizabeth City for First in Flight Festival
-- October 29 event to feature free airplane rides, remote control air shows, expanded plane exhibits, terminal renovation ribbon-cutting, Berlin Airlift re-enactment and the return of Col. Gail Halvorsen, with October 30 rain date --
(Elizabeth City, N.C., Sept. 16, 2011) – The First in Flight Festival will have new bells and whistles when it takes off Oct. 29 at the Elizabeth City Regional Airport, and organizers are seeking sponsors who wish to align their name with the popular aviation-themed event. After a year's absence from the festival, retired U.S. Air Force Col. Gail Halvorsen, the famed "Candy Bomber" of the 1948-49 Berlin Airlift, will return for a special appearance. In addition, the event will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the $430,000 airport renovation and expanded Coast Guard and U.S. Naval aircraft displays. Also on the schedule will be the Berlin Airlift re-enactment and candy drop, free airplane rides for kids, a flight simulator, remote-controlled aircraft acrobatics and hangar tours. The festival starts at 9 a.m. and continues through the candy drop scheduled for 3 p.m. For sponsorship information, contact Wayne Harris at (252) 338-0169 or director@discoverec.com.
| 9 a.m. | Guided tours of a DRS Technologies hangar, where you can see a C-130. Tours available through noon. |
| Free Airplane Rides, offered by the Experimental Aircraft Association’s “Young Eagle Program.” Rides are for children ages 7-17 years old (must have a parent or guardian present). Flights available through 4 p.m., subject to wind and weather. Sponsored by TCOM LP. | |
| Military/civilian aircraft on static display. Celebrate the 100th anniversary of naval aviation while touring many Coast Guard and Navy aircraft. Crews will be on hand to answer your questions. Aircraft on display through 4 p.m. | |
| 10 a.m. | Airport Renovation Ribbon-Cutting — Join local and state officials in celebrating the reopening of the Elizabeth City Regional Airport after a $430,000 renovation. Sponsored by TCOM LP. |
| 11 a.m. | Remote Control Air Show Presented by Radio Active Air Shows & 1 p.m. Sponsored by Telephonics Corporation. |
| 3 p.m. | Berlin Airlift Re-enactment and Candy Drop! First drop for children up to 7 years old; second drop for children ages 8-12. Sponsored by DRS Technologies. |
A number of Elizabeth City businesses have joined together to sponsor the festival events including DRS Technologies, TCOM, L.P., Telephonics, and Shell Aviation. Additional support is provided by Air Base Café, The Chocolate House, Flowers Printing, Southern Insurance Agency, Inc., and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Parking for the First in Flight festival is available in the DRS Technologies parking lot. For additional information and a complete schedule, visit www.ecfirstinflight.com.
Headquartered in Elizabeth City, the Albemarle Economic Development Commission markets business opportunities in the City of Elizabeth City and Pasquotank County to prospective employers throughout the United States. For information, go to www.discoverEC.com or call at 1-888-338-1678 or (252) 338-0169.
