NORRIDGEWOCK, Maine — A 13-year tradition of bringing aviation enthusiasts to Norridgewock will undergo some major changes this year in an effort to transform the niche event into a family-oriented attraction.
A range of new events will be offered for children and adults alike, but the focus of the Aug. 7 Norridgewock Everything That Flies Fly-In is still mostly the planes.
With an aging population of recreational pilots and the cost of flying continuing to rise, participation in the fly-in has whittled away in the past few years, said Ben Brown, who helps organize the event. Even so, the fly-in’s premier attraction — free plane rides for kids ages 8 to 17 — attracted 87 takers in just four hours last year.
“That’s a big draw,” said Brown, of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles Program. “Every kid who does it gets their name in the Experimental Aircraft Association’s book in Wisconsin, where there are more than 1 million names.”
Aside from the free flights, participants will see a range of historic and unique aircraft and take part in a climbing wall, a jump house, a candy drop, face painting, a fire department smokehouse demonstration, an antique car show, tractor pulls and numerous displays by vendors and local groups.
A pancake breakfast will be held from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 7 and 8, and a spaghetti supper is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. Saturday. Most events take place at the Central Maine Regional Airport in Norridgewock.
“This is the biggest fly-in in the state for the Young Eagles program,” said Brown. “I hope we’ll get at least 150 kids and that some of those kids will pursue an aviation career later in life.”
Bob Gilcott, president of the Norridgewock Chamber of Commerce, said his organization co-sponsored the event this year to make it bigger and more inclusive.
“In the past if you weren’t interested in aviation you probably wouldn’t come,” said Gilcott. “We’ve added a lot of stuff to make it more of a family day.”
Gilcott said many local businesses and organizations are involved in the event.
“We’re just trying to boost the economy and bring people out and give them something to do,” he said.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 7, with an Aug. 8 rain date. For more information, call 634-2917.
