Airport Car Show Includes Wings and Wheels

Upper Cumberland Regional Airport saw a successful turnout at its recent event this past Saturday, September 19. As a special fundraiser for Special Olympics, they hosted the “Wings & Wheels” event. Rather than an airplane pull as they have done in the past- after all, in the heat Saturday boasted, that would have been a tall ask- the airport had a car show along with their usual showcases of emergency agencies and aircrafts.

Antique and old-fashioned automobiles lined up across the runway, with dozens upon dozens showing up for the event. Some of the athletes with the YMCA Special Warriors program even got to act as judges for the car show. With well over 50 entries at least, they certainly had their work cut out for them on picking a favorite.

County Executive Kyle Goff was at the event to support Special Olympics. During the event, he also gave a dedicated speech to the legacy of Calvin Jones, one of the YMCA’s most dedicated athletes who passed away in June this year.

The Car Show was not all that lined the runway, however. Like most years, various agencies were lined up all around the perimeter to show off some of their stuff. A lot of the kids at the event particularly loved getting to go inside and tour the armored vehicles or helicopters that some of the sheriff and police agencies had. There were also fire departments and their vehicles, letting them get to see the inside of those. Even some of the flight schools and programs that the airport supports had a presence, getting to show off aircraft both big and small.

One moment that drew tons of eyes, particularly from the children present, were the smaller model airplanes being flown. There were a handful that took off around the event, leaving a trail and drawing eyes all around.

Airport Director Heather McBride was happy with the turnout of the event. Both she and Goff were excited to be able to put something together to support Special Olympics after the cancellation of the plane pull. With how successful the Car Show turned out to be, it is easy to say that they made the right choice.