By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Flightfest 2024 is ready for takeoff at the Chatham-Kent Municipal Airport June 29.
Organized by the C-K chapter of Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA), the daylong event showcases all things aviation – and more.
Along with static plane displays and a variety of food and craft vendors, a special children’s activity area will be featured, as well as fireworks display and live music that includes a Led Zeppelin tribute band.
The event is free, however, attendees are invited to bring a canned good that enters them into a draw for a plane ride.
According to COPA YCK president Gordon Haslam, the work is worth it.
“The joy of witnessing the smiles on the faces of the children makes the time and effort invested in this remarkable event truly worthwhile,” Haslam said in a media release, while thanking the aircraft owners, pilots and Z3 Aviation, the company that manages the C-K’s airport for facilitating the group’s role to host the event.
The Chatham-Kent Municipal Airport is located at 8528 Fourteenth Line near Charing Cross. Beginning at 11 a.m., a free shuttle bus service will be provided from Blenheim Memorial Arena and St. Paul’s Discover Life Church in Chatham. It will run all day until the conclusion of the event.
The schedule can be found online at flightfest.ca. Volunteers are still needed and a contact can be found on the website.
The event is being held in support of Hope Air.