GRANGEVILLE, Idaho — The third annual Warbird Weekend runs Saturday and Sunday, July 12-13, at the Idaho County Airport, featuring historic aircraft, plane flights, aviation exhibits and related events.
Free to the public, the annual event recognizes the role of aviation in Idaho County’s history and highlights the airport as an economic development hub, as well as a gateway to outdoor recreation in North Central Idaho.
Both days of the event feature self-guided aircraft tours starting at 8 a.m., ending on 2 p.m. on Saturday and noon on Sunday; as well as an on-site breakfast offered from 8 to 11 a.m. by The Twisted Cellar.
Among the featured aircraft planning to attend this year include the 1943 Fairchild PT26, Nanchang CJ6, T-6 Trainer, 1950 Vance AFB T-28 and Vance T-28 C Model, Harpoon PV-2 bomber and a Calidus Autogyro. Organizers are also working on bringing in additional historic aircraft.
An event favorite for Saturday only, Young Eagles free flights for youth ages 8-17, will start at 8 a.m. Sponsored by the Experimental Aircraft Association, the flights will be first-come, first-served. Parent or guardian permission is required for participation. Kids can also participate in the pilot dress-up contest at noon.
Saturday events kick off with a pancake breakfast, 8-11 a.m., benefitting the Quilts of Valor. Opening ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m. with the National Anthem, presentation of colors and honoring of veterans. Lunch will be available, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., (also including ice cream, beer and wine) from The Twisted Cellar.
On site, visitors can tour the U.S. Forest Service Grangeville Air Center smokejumper facility. Tours are also being conducted of the Anderson Aeromotive facility, an internationally recognized business that repairs and rebuilds radial aircraft engines.
Among the day’s events include a Civil Air Patrol aircraft display and exhibit, Idaho Army National Guard obstacle course and equipment exhibit, tourism and recreation presentations, and exhibits of remote control airplanes and historical aviation. From noon to 3 p.m., the Bicentennial Historical Museum on North College Street will be showing the World War I aviation movie, Flyboys.
Sunday events again offer aircraft tours and flights for purchase, 8 a.m. to noon; and breakfast from 8-11 a.m.
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