Air Show honors fallen pilot
COSHOCTON – The 2016 Coshocton Air Show will be dedicated to the memory of Jim “Fang” Maroney, a fellow pilot who attended every Coshocton air show. He was known for flying the “Super Chipmunk”.
“He performed in every air show we had and unfortunately, he was killed in a plane crash,” said Bethel Toler, airport administrator. Maroney crashed in Tennessee while flying to Georgia in 2014.
This year’s show will be Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 17 – 18 and comes after three years without having an air show.
“We haven’t had it for three years because of the economy,” said Toler. “We like to wait and not do it every year because of the economy and the strain on the businesses.”
Area businesses sponsor the event, which is typically held every other year.
“Businesses step up and help us to put it on,” said Toler. “It’s very kind of them to do that because it takes quite a bit of money to put this show on.”
This year’s show promises to be a fun-filled day for the whole family. There will be a kid’s fun zone, a climbing wall from the National Guard, food vendors, and static displays.
Performing at this year’s show will be the Aerostars Aerobatic team, which is a three Yak aircraft aerobatic performance, Mike Vaknin in his Extra 300, Jason Flood with his Pitts Special, a North American T6 Performer, Machaira, the Misty Blues, which is an all-woman skydiving team, and U.S. Navy F-18 Super Hornets. The air show portion of the event is from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. each day but there is plenty for all ages to do throughout. Several aircraft will be available for viewing on static display.
Gates open each day at 9 a.m. Opening ceremonies will be Saturday, Sept. 17 at 11 a.m. with the Coshocton County Color Guard, Joe Henderson performing his hit song, “Uncle Sam” and guest speaker, Bob Gibbs. The grand marshal will be Dr. James Kleinknecht, a retired chiropractor and ex-pilot.
“He was one of the first board members for this airport and he served as an instrument repairer for B36s,” said Toler.
There will also be raffles during the event and tickets are $5 each. They can be purchased online at coshoctoncountyairport.com. Items to be raffled off include a side panel from the Dale Earnhardt Jr. Hellmann’s car.
“This panel started the whole concept with banana and mayonnaise sandwiches that are so popular with Dale Earnhardt Jr.,” said Toler.
There will also be a gift basket from Martin Truex who just won the Coca-Cola 600 race that will include two hot passes to any NASCAR race in 2016, signed photos, and other apparel. There will be a signed fiddle by Charlie Daniels and a signed guitar from Confederate Railroad.
Tickets for the show are $10 for adults and $5 for children 10 and under. Those age 2 and under are admitted free of charge. You can also purchase two-day passes for $15. Tickets can be purchased online at the site mentioned above.
“I think it’s a lower cost than other air shows, plus it’s a good family event and a lot of people love to bring their family out and a lot of people like the aviation aspect of it,” said Toler.
The day before and the morning of the event, the FAA comes in to perform safety checks on the performers and the venue to make sure everything is in order. Toler said people don’t need to worry this year about parking. REACT and personnel from the Coshocton County Sheriff’s office will be there to direct traffic.
Parking at the airport is first come, first served. There will be additional shuttle parking at the Career Center and Hopewell School, lot 5, and Coshocton Christian Tabernacle, lot 4. Shuttle buses will run from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. every half hour.
Sponsors of the Air Show are: Platinum – Epic Aviation, The Montgomery Foundation; Gold – Jones Metal Products, Wiley’s Finest, McWane Ductile; Silver – AK Steel Coshocton Works, Coshocton Village Inn and Suites, Jerold and Gloria Meyer, Mission Auto Connection; Bronze Plus – Buckeye Brine, Hampton Inn, Jeff Drennen Dealerships; and many bronze and friends sponsors.
Category: Arts & Entertainment
