HOULTON, Maine — The fifth annual Houlton International Wings and Wheels fly-in and cruise-in returns this Saturday with a full slate of events at the airport.
“As with all outdoor events, we are at the mercy of the weather, so that is something we will be watching,” said Jane Torres, executive director for the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce. “I am hopeful we will have a lot of pilots from around the state flying in to Houlton this year.”
The idea for a “fly-in” formed when Torres, former Town Manager Eugene Conlogue, and former Economic and Community Development Director Lori Weston were brainstorming new ideas to draw people to the town.
In 2014, about 2,500 people came out for the event. In 2015, inclement weather resulted in fewer attendees and a number of events, including the air show and skydiving, being cancelled. Last year, about 800 people paid the gate fee to attend.
Since private planes like to arrive early, organizers will be offering a free breakfast buffet, with the price of admission, from 7-10 a.m. The buffet is open to anyone in the community who would like to join the pilots.
Vacationland Skydiving once again will offer opportunities for tandem jumps out of an airplane. Skydiving begins at 8 a.m. followed by the opening ceremonies at 9 a.m. with a color guard. If there is great enough demand, skydiving jumps also will continue on Sunday.
Torres said Dan Marcotte will return with his acrobatic airshow, performing two aerial displays at 10 a.m. and 2:34 p.m. Marcotte also is bringing a jet car capable of reaching speeds of 300 miles per hour, which will be demonstrated at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
“The jet car should be a great addition,” Torres said. “He will do two runs with the car, which has to deploy a parachute to slow it down.”
Jeff Russell will hold a flying exhibition at 10:30 a.m., followed by a precision landing contest at 11 a.m. A candy drop for children takes place at 12:30 p.m., followed by a Maine Forest Service water drop exhibition at 1:30 p.m.
Admission to the event is $10 for those 16 and older; $5 for youths ages 6-15; and children 5 and younger are free.
