Visitors welcomed to airport rededication

The Shawano Municipal Airport held a rededication on Aug. 22.

Shawano city and airport officials hosted the event to invite visitors to the airport to partake in a car show, ride on airplanes and helicopters and to just learn a little more about aviation.

“We invited Shawano residents out to the airport to rededicate the runway,” said former Airport Commission Chairman Larry Sperberg. “The runway was recently resurfaced.”

More than just a rededication, Shawano Mayor Bruce Milavitz said that he wanted to expose Shawano residents to what the airport is.

“Events like this help people to understand what the airport is,” said Milavitz. “People see an entire fence around the airport and think that you have to be a pilot to be here. This is extremely important to the community. Businesses and people fly in and out of here, and we have a seaplane base. If you think about it, people can fly here from wherever and just hang out here for the weekend.”

Milavitz elaborated on this idea, saying that visitors can rent a boat, stay in the hotels or just get something to eat after landing at the airport.

Sperberg believes that the airport plays a vital role within the Shawano community.

“The airport has been here since right after World War II,” said Sperberg. “It has helped to bring business to the community. This is also a great place to fly to for recreational purposes. The airport plays a part in that economy.”

A car show was held in the yard next to the runway for community members to show off their antique cars. The cars included 1960s Cadillacs and even a replica DeLorean.

Next to the car show on the runway was the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program. After signing a parental waiver form, children between the ages of 8 and 17 were given the opportunity to take a ride in an airplane or helicopter with an experienced pilot.

“Introducing kids to aviation is a good thing,” said Sperberg. “Aviation is still a very important part of our economy. Letting kids get in the air may lead to an aviation career.”

Milavitz said that children having the opportunity to get up in the air on a vehicle has been positive.

“The Young Eagles event for these kids is just phenomenal,” said Milavitz. “They are just having a blast.”

He believes that giving the children an opportunity to get on a plane or helicopter will help to promote aviation in the community.

“The best way to promote aviation is when you are a youth,” said Milavitz. “Pilots need to continue to grow. They could get a good career or just be able to fly for fun.”

Police Officer Tyler Thornborrow said almost all of the children have had a positive reaction to the rides.

“I think that when these kids get on these planes, they are a little nervous,” said Thornborrow. “Every last one of them that I saw come off had a smile on their face. This is really providing something that they will never forget.”

Shawano resident Angie Bahr was one of the many parents who saw her children take a ride in one of the vehicles.

“When they heard that they were going up in a helicopter, their faces lit up in excitement,” said Bahr.

Bahr said that this could be the start to an aviation career for her son.

“This could possibly be a start,” said Bahr. “Maybe after this my son will be into it.”

One child who was visiting with his family from Gresham was given the opportunity to fly in a helicopter. He described his experience as amazing.

“When I was up there, I was just thinking what an amazing experience this is,” said Wyatt Bratz. “I am glad that I was able to do this. This is definitely something that I would do again.”

As more people continue to get vaccinated and attend public events, many crowd members and officials said that they were happy to be able to see community members getting back together.

“I think that this is fantastic that we can all get together,” said Milavitz.

“I think it is so neat to have the world open up and get back to some degree of normalcy,” added Sperberg.

Shawano resident Jim Stock spoke on his experience at the event.

“It’s nice for all of the young ones here,” said Stock. “It’s a beautiful car show. You get hot dogs and Sun Drop — it’s all just beautiful.”

Milavitz added that he hoped this event would help to continue exposing Shawano’s best attributes to people who live out of town.

“I have met a lot of people outside of Shawano County today,” said Milavitz. “We want to show Shawano to a different community, because we are looking for people to move here. We are looking for businesses to move here.”

lreimer@newmedia-wi.com