This event has been growing leaps and bounds for the last 10 years, and this year will be even bigger than last year.
A quick look at the festival's website at www.heritageofflight.com is almost overwhelming. It always amazes me how much the Festival of Flight committee manages to fit so much into three beautiful fall days.
This year the organizers have added the Heritage of Flight Pageant Friday evening on the big stage just before the Fleez begin their performance.
The pageant is divided into three age groups. Nine girls between the ages of 4-to-8 years will compete for the title of Little Miss Flight. The 9-to-13-year-old age group has nine girls seeking the Flight Princess crown. The three Flight Queen Candidates are between the ages of 14 and 18 years.
All competitors are from Clark, Miami, Champaign, Greene or Montgomery counties.
On Sept. 17, the girls were judged on interview questions, community and school activities, personality and speaking ability. The younger ones were even allowed to have their parents with them during their interviews. Judges were Denise Emu, Kim Jones and council member John Krabacher. Questions were designed for each age group.
Pageant committee members Krystal Sowers, Jackie Rolfe and Gene Collier researched other similar events in the area and came up with guidelines that made this pageant “all natural” and affordable. Instructions specifically state that dresses and make up must be age appropriate.
Contestants were encouraged to wear something they already had in their closet, said Sowers.
“It’s a growing experience,” said Sowers. “I’m already excited to see who will come back next year and how they will prepare.”
Sowers said that those interested in applying for the 2015 pageant should watch the website for applications in June or July of next year.
All girls will receive a participation medallion. Winners in each category will receive a crown, sash and monetary award. It is hoped that future pageants will have scholarship awards.
New Carlisle’s mayor, Lowell McGlothlin, is excited about the ”Buy A Boom” program that gives everyone an opportunity to donate money to the Saturday night fireworks show or to dedicate a boom to a specific person. The names of people who have purchased a boom, or who will be honored by booms, is on the website at the top of the “contribute” page.
The fireworks will cost the group around $6,000, but only about half has been raised so far.
“We could always use more,” said McGlothlin.
He explained that contributions will be accepted until the show at 9 p.m. Saturday evening. It will take place over the main stage area.
McGlothlin is also excited about the airplane parade that started this whole festival 10 years ago.
“We have our biggest parade ever this year,” he said.
McGlothlin said there would be more than 25 airplanes, along with many of the popular Shriner’s parade units. The parade starts at 11 a.m. Saturday.
This year’s festival has more vendors than usual and more food than before, too. If weather cooperates, 800 cars are expected for the Cruise-in Friday evening.
Rain or shine, however, there is going to be one huge city party that goes the entire length of Main Street in New Carlisle from Friday to Sunday. I recommend dieting all week to prepare.
And there is so much more to do than I have space to list. Visit the website and be prepared to be amazed.
I have no idea how the committee fits this all in, so I asked McGlothlin.
“Our committee is like a duck on a lake,” he said. “We look calm on the surface, but we are paddling like crazy under water.”
Hope to see you all there.
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