Aircraft and history enthusiasts will flock to Oconto on Saturday for the fifth annual fly-in sponsored by the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Warbirds of America Badger Squadron Six. The event will take place at the headquarters of the Badger Squadron, the Oconto-J. Douglas Bake Municipal Airport, at 2983 Airport Road, Oconto.
The event is the brainchild of an Oconto Falls husband-and-wife team, James Valentine and Jean Fogelberg, who wanted to bring attention to the small airport in Oconto.
“We realized the airport was supported by the county and the city, and that there wasn’t a lot of activity there,” Fogelberg said. “We thought it would be cool to start it.”
From its start, the event has drawn a large crowd.
“We were told we’d be lucky to get 500 or 600 people. We got over 2,000,” Fogelberg said of the 2009 debut.
The 2013 event is expected to draw approximately 5,000 people.
The couple has long been involved in aviation. Valentine became interested in flying when he was 13 and his mother took him to the Nicolet Airport in De Pere, where he rode in a tandem Aeronca Champ plane, seated in front of the pilot.
“I was scared stiff!” he said. “I was so scared, I guess I had to try it again.”
Valentine served in the U.S. Army in Thailand, and when he returned to the U.S., he wanted to fly. He was stationed in Kansas and started private lessons.
Fifteen years ago, while living in Colorado, the couple decided to build their own plane. It took them four years to get it flying. Fogelberg said when she realized they were actually going to fly the plane, she decided to take lessons, although she is not a certified pilot.
The couple moved to Wisconsin 10 years ago to return to Valentine’s hometown and brought their plane with them.
Saturday’s fly-in includes a variety of aviation-related experiences.
The runways will be busy with helicopters and vintage, experimental and ultra-light aircraft arriving to be put on display. Eight to 10 Warbird airplanes, all which have been flown in a war, are scheduled to arrive, weather permitting. Radio control airplanes will fly all day, with a special show at 2 p.m. Helicopter and airplane rides will be offered for a fee, and approximately 60 vendors and exhibitors will show their wares.
“We want to promote the airport here, and we want to have children become aware of flying and have fun seeing planes,” Fogelberg said.
Also included in the event is the Show and Shine for car enthusiasts, with a bit of a twist. Five, custom-made trophies made of various car parts will be given as awards. Three veterans will judge the cars and choose the winners.
Also on display will be a World War II encampment, rounding out the event for history buffs.
Opening ceremonies are at 11 a.m. with veterans of Desert Storm presenting the colors.
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