HOULTON, Maine — Cloud cover did not deter the excitement of some local residents who came to the Houlton International Airport on Saturday for the fifth annual Houlton International Wings and Wheels fly-in and cruise-in.
A fundraiser for the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce, the event gave both children and adults a chance to view a variety of different airplanes and helicopters, see flying exhibitions, and converse with pilots. Several military vehicles also attracted the attention of younger children, as did the bounce house.
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- Visitors to the Houlton International Airport on Saturday check out the planes and helicopters participating in the fifth annual Houlton International Wings and Wheels fly-in and cruise-in. (Jen Lynds)
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- Pilot Dan Marcotte leaves a plume of smoke in his wake on the runway as he entertains the crowd with his jet car during the fifth annual Houlton International Wings and Wheels fly-in and cruise-in on Saturday. Marcotte performed two aerial events and also brought the jet car, which is capable of reaching speeds of 300 miles per hour. (Jen Lynds)
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- Passengers exit Matt Nightingale’s Piper Cherokee Archer airplane after he taxied to a stop Saturday on the runaway during the fifth annual Houlton International Wings and Wheels fly-in and cruise-in. Nightingale of New Limerick was one of several local pilots who participated in the event. (Jen Lynds)
The event began with a breakfast buffet and featured a flying exhibition and contest that included a number of local pilots.
Jessica Hutchison of Houlton, who attended the event with her two children, said her son insisted they go even though the weather was not perfect.
“We came last year as well, and he got hooked on watching the planes taking off and landing,” she said. “He is 5 years old, and that just thrills him. He had his picture taken with a few of the pilots and my daughter loves the bounce house, so they had a good time.”
A huge draw for the crowd was Dan Marcotte, who returned to the event with his acrobatic airshow. He performed two aerial events and also brought a jet car capable of reaching speeds of 300 miles per hour.
The crowd cheered and applauded as Marcotte’s car whipped back and forth across the runway, leaving a cloud of smoke in its wake. He was surrounded by attendees when the crowd was given a chance to take a look at the vehicle.
Ben Nickerson, 7, of Presque Isle, came to the event with his grandparents, who reside in Houlton. He said his favorite part of the day was the “jet car.”
“Its real fast,” he said.
Mark Johnson of Houlton, who was attending the event for the first time with his family, agreed.
“That was pretty cool,” he said. “I can’t imagine having the nerve to drive it, but it was still pretty cool.”
