WEST OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Aviation Association and Ocean City Municipal Airport are back with their Wings & Wheels Expo, bringing more than 200 privately owned aircraft, custom cars and antique military vehicles to the Ocean City airport tomorrow, Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The public will have a chance to talk to the owners of the vehicles and craft who travel from around the region to attend the event now in its second year, said Steve Habeger, a member of the OCAA.
“The beauty of Wings & Wheels is you can meet people with their own airplanes who fly them,” Habeger said. “It’s really a neat day.”
Around 500 attended the inaugural Wings & Wheels event last year, which featured about 50 cars and more than a dozen aircraft, he said.
This year’s event will be even bigger with an estimated 15 aircraft from three classes (modern, antique and experimental) as well as approximately 200 cars in five classes (antique, classic, custom, import and hot rod) and military jeeps and trucks, said Candance Jones, who chairs the event.
There will be trophies for first- and second-place winners in each category as well as a people’s choice award, she said.
“The owners drive them in and they’re really proud and they like to talk about them,” Habeger said.
The highlight for aviation aficionados this year, however, will be the historic World War II B-25 Bomber “Panchito,” which will offer free tours or rides for a $425 fee to benefits the Aviation Association, weather pending.
Those looking for a lower-cost experience can take a 20-30-minute helicopter ride over Ocean City for $50, offering “a great, open cab with great views,” Jones said.
Attendees will have a chance to win door prizes from oil changes to gift certificates to Sunset Grille, Crab Alley and other local restaurants every 10 minutes during the expo. For a $5 ticket, they can enter to win a raffle package worth $700 that includes a two-night start at the Carousel Hotel, a three-day pass to the Endless Summer Cruisin’ car show in October, a helicopter ride over Ocean City and several dinners at local restaurants. There will also be a 50/50 raffle at the event.
Several food trucks will be on site selling fare as well as a beer truck with drinks and about 10 arts and crafts vendors selling their wares.
The OCAA found inspiration for its Wings & Wheels Expo from the nearby Georgetown, Del., airport, which has a much larger expo the first weekend of each October, Habeger said.
“A lot of pilot organizations around the country do a Wings & Wheels just to bring the public in and make them more aware of private aircraft,” he said.
Admission to the event costs $5, or is free for children under 12. Proceeds will go toward maintaining the historic Huey Veterans Memorial helicopter display at the Ocean City Municipal Airport.
Visit the Wings & Wheels Expo tomorrow, Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the airport in West Ocean City. Visitors might want to arrive early as a team of skydivers will fly in the American flag during the opening ceremony, Habeger said.
To get to the airport from Ocean City, cross the Route 50 bridge and turn left onto Route 611, Stephen Decatur Highway. The airport will be on the left.
The public will have a chance to talk to the owners of the vehicles and craft who travel from around the region to attend the event now in its second year, said Steve Habeger, a member of the OCAA.
“The beauty of Wings & Wheels is you can meet people with their own airplanes who fly them,” Habeger said. “It’s really a neat day.”
Around 500 attended the inaugural Wings & Wheels event last year, which featured about 50 cars and more than a dozen aircraft, he said.
This year’s event will be even bigger with an estimated 15 aircraft from three classes (modern, antique and experimental) as well as approximately 200 cars in five classes (antique, classic, custom, import and hot rod) and military jeeps and trucks, said Candance Jones, who chairs the event.
There will be trophies for first- and second-place winners in each category as well as a people’s choice award, she said.
“The owners drive them in and they’re really proud and they like to talk about them,” Habeger said.
The highlight for aviation aficionados this year, however, will be the historic World War II B-25 Bomber “Panchito,” which will offer free tours or rides for a $425 fee to benefits the Aviation Association, weather pending.
Those looking for a lower-cost experience can take a 20-30-minute helicopter ride over Ocean City for $50, offering “a great, open cab with great views,” Jones said.
Attendees will have a chance to win door prizes from oil changes to gift certificates to Sunset Grille, Crab Alley and other local restaurants every 10 minutes during the expo. For a $5 ticket, they can enter to win a raffle package worth $700 that includes a two-night start at the Carousel Hotel, a three-day pass to the Endless Summer Cruisin’ car show in October, a helicopter ride over Ocean City and several dinners at local restaurants. There will also be a 50/50 raffle at the event.
Several food trucks will be on site selling fare as well as a beer truck with drinks and about 10 arts and crafts vendors selling their wares.
The OCAA found inspiration for its Wings & Wheels Expo from the nearby Georgetown, Del., airport, which has a much larger expo the first weekend of each October, Habeger said.
“A lot of pilot organizations around the country do a Wings & Wheels just to bring the public in and make them more aware of private aircraft,” he said.
Admission to the event costs $5, or is free for children under 12. Proceeds will go toward maintaining the historic Huey Veterans Memorial helicopter display at the Ocean City Municipal Airport.
Visit the Wings & Wheels Expo tomorrow, Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the airport in West Ocean City. Visitors might want to arrive early as a team of skydivers will fly in the American flag during the opening ceremony, Habeger said.
To get to the airport from Ocean City, cross the Route 50 bridge and turn left onto Route 611, Stephen Decatur Highway. The airport will be on the left.