By Charlotte Boynton
The pilot of the this Navy aircraft waves to the crowd at the Wiscasset Airport following his stunts in the sky Aug. 9. (Kathy Onorato photo) |
The second annual Wings Over Wiscasset event brought over 7,500 people to the Wiscasset Municipal Airport Aug. 8 and 9, according to Executive Producer Dennis St. Pierre.
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Four-year-old Carter Ritchie and his dad Jason take a seat in a 1961 Cesna Skywagon during the Wings Over Wiscasset event Aug. 8. (Kathy Onorato photo) |
The event raised more than $10,000. Half of the proceeds will fund next year’s Wings Over Wiscasset. The other half will be shared between five beneficiaries: Wiscasset Recreation and Parks Department, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion Post 54, Maine Aeronautics Association, and Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce.
According to St. Pierre, Friday, Aug. 8, about 1,200 people went through the gate. The day began with a pancake breakfast by the Wiscasset legion post, serving pancakes, eggs, sausages, bacon, and juice for donations only. According to the William Sutter family, it was very good.
Several nonprofits were on hand to offer their goods. Veterans and pilots answered questions from children and adults about the old planes along with other activities for children throughout the day, including a mad scientist presentation.
During the afternoon, five World War II veterans discussed their service in front of a very interested audience, which was followed by a veterans’ award ceremony conducted by the Wiscasset legion post.
Friday evening well over 200 people attended a swing dance and danced to the music of the Compaq Big Band from Boston. St. Pierre, a veteran big band singer, sat in with the band, singing several standards.
The Texas Flying Legends airshow attracted the largest audience, with about 3,000 people at the airport on Saturday. “Our attendance this year exceeded last year’s by about 2,500 people. “We certainly accomplished our mission again this year,” St. Pierre said.
The mission of Wings Over Wiscasset is “to educate, enrich and inspire, while raising awareness and funds for local nonprofits,” according to its website. “We meet this mission through creating this free event honoring Maine’s Veterans, and entertaining Maine’s children, families, and seniors through an educational engagement of historical significance incorporating music, aviation, history, and science.”
“This could never of happened without the many volunteers, veterans, Texas Flying Legends, town employees, airport staff, hanger owners, pilots, and the nonprofits who participated,” St. Pierre said. “I am very proud to have had the opportunity to work with them.”
Steven Dones-Rogers, Jessica Libby and Christian Clayton of Swing and Sway Dancing in Rockland entertain during the swing dance held at the Wisasset Airport. (Kathy Onorato photo) |
