Flight, Power, and Community Pride

Airplanes were coming and going until midday.

The morning dawned a bit cool and overcast after an overnight rainstorm in Marion, Indiana, but sunshine prevailed for the return of Ray Johnson’s Fly/In Cruise/In Sept. 5, 2026, at Marion Regional Airport (KMZZ).

The annual event, which features free admission and parking, kicked off at 7 a.m. with thousands of people enjoying a pancake and sausage breakfast feast. All told, the numbers denote just how popular this event is. There were 210 volunteers who made sure everyone was well fed — a total of 3,083 breakfasts were served (which included 9,000 sausages and used up 250 gallons of pancake batter).

This 1941 Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3 (N72792) was on display in the large hangar where breakfast was served.

Then, with appetites satiated, attendees feasted their eyes and imaginations on myriad motorized air and land machines.

A unique formation of two warbirds and a Piper Cherokee flies overhead.

This year’s theme was “35 Years of Flight, Power, and Community Pride!” Among the 100 aircraft on the field, there was an astounding variety of antique, classic, homebuilt, ultralight, and warbird aircraft, as well as around 300 vintage cars and trucks, 75 motorcycles, six Pulse Autocycles, 10 Polaris Slingshots, 25 tractors, and numerous military vehicles.

This 1950 Aeronca 15AC Sedan, which is based at Marion, is the only one registered in Indiana.

A 2018 Icon A5, parked in front of the hangar where breakfast was served.

Interspersed in the tiedown area were restored farm tractors and autos.

The Pulse Autocycles are an eye-catching group.

It was, as in years past, a fun-filled family event. Children were wide-eyed and exclaimed with glee as airplanes flew overhead, and stared in awe as they walked up to parked aircraft and vehicles. It was a memory-making event for all who were there.

The 35th Anniversary Fly/In Cruise/In was a fun-filled family event.

Warbirds and Airplane Rides

This year, two warbirds from the Vintage Flying Machines Flying Museum of Huntington, Indiana, were featured. The first was a Douglas Skyraider, which served in the United States Navy as an airborne early warning platform and had a large ventral radome with a search radar. It was the last Skyraider to see service in the U.S. Navy, and was later transferred to the United States Marine Corps.

The Douglas Skyraider, owned by the Vintage Flying Machines Flying Museum of Huntington, Indiana.

The other warbird was a Grumman TBM-3E Avenger torpedo bomber. It was used to hunt and sink enemy submarines. It bears a paint scheme representing the successful VC-13 unit.

A Grumman TBM-3E Avenger torpedo bomber, owned by the Vintage Flying Machines Flying Museum of Huntington, Indiana.

Rides were available in a 1929 D-25 New Standard operated by Goodfolk & O’Tymes Biplane Rides of Dayton, Ohio.

The New Standard flies by with a full front cockpit.

Rides were also available in a 1943 North American AT-6D Texan, flown by Laura Stants. The AT-6D is owned by Nathan Davis and operated by the Warbird Training Center based at Kokomo, Indiana.

This AT-6D bears the number 35 as a tribute to the 325th Fighter Group, “The Checkertail Clan,” and is flown by Laura Stants.

The Johnsons

Since 1991, the cumulative tally of funds raised by this event and contributed to charitable community organizations has now exceeded $1 million. During the 2026 event, Ray Johnson was honored as a recipient of the Circle of Corydon, an award issued by members of Indiana’s executive and legislative branches. Recipients, nominated by members of the General Assembly, are “exemplary citizens who have made notable contributions that benefit the state.” The award’s namesake, Corydon, was Indiana’s first state capital and the site where the state’s first constitution was drafted.

Ray and Judy Johnson with the awards they received. (Photo courtesy Penny Kelly)

Additionally, Ray was lauded for his Vintage in Review work during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, as well as being formally recognized by State Senator Nick McKinley “for extraordinary dedication to preserving and promoting the aviation and automotive heritage of Marion and Grant County.”

Significant appreciation was also given to Judy Johnson, who, throughout the decades, has been her husband’s “behind the scenes” cheerful and pleasant dynamo, deftly organizing and keeping track of myriad facets of each event.

An Ercoupe is nestled between a Cub and warbirds on the ramp.

If you’ve attended, you already know what an amazing turnout there is at Marion. If you’ve never been, and are looking for something to do next year, mark it on your calendar. It’s a great opportunity to share and promote aviation with the local community and to learn from those who bring other vehicles to the show. The event is held annually on the Saturday of Labor Day Weekend.

For more information: FlyInCruiseIn.com