Biggest AirFest yet

Organizers of Culpeper’s AirFest say this year’s 11^th annual event is expected to be the largest yet, with nearly 40 planes taking to the sky Saturday.

Airport manager Tanya Woodward said the committee organizing the event even faced the unusual situation of having to turn down people who wanted to display and share their aircraft with the community.

“We just don’t have the room,” she said. “From our standpoint right now, this is by far going to be the largest.”

Pilot Mike Dale, a member of the airport advisory committee whose vintage British military aircraft will be among those featured in the show, agreed.

“This will be the biggest air show Culpeper has ever seen,” he said. “It’s a wonderful community effort.”

The show is set for Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Culpeper Regional Airport off U.S. 29 in Elkwood. The schedule is subject to change based on the flying conditions.

The popular Harrier jump jet will be returning again, along with an L-39 jet trainer. Other featured aircraft and events include a Yak-9, a T6 and performances by the Bealeton Flying Circus and local model aircraft clubs.

Dale said, conditions permitting, there will be a 30-plane formation of vintage military aircraft — dubbed war birds by enthusiasts — at some point during the show. “And we’ll have another 10 aerobatic aircraft,” he added.

On the ground, the county’s parks and recreation department will have activities for kids up to the eighth grade, local community groups will be on hand, and food from vendors will be available throughout the event.

A combined high school band, composed of Culpeper County and Eastern View students, will play the national anthem and other selections to open the air show.

Entrance and parking are free.

“There’s no charge, and everybody can thank the sponsors for that,” Woodward said. “They’re the reasons were able to have no charges. We are extremely lucky to have the sponsors.”

More than 30 corporate and private sponsors have contributed. This year’s top sponsors include Terremark, Trisept Corp. and Chemung Contracting and Cedar Mountain Stone.

Want to go?

Culpeper Regional Airport will hold its annual AirFest Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The airport is located at 12517 Beverly Ford Road in Elkwood, off U.S. 29. In case of rain, the event will be held Oct. 10.

Entrance and parking are free. No coolers or alcohol are allowed on airport premises. Visit culpeperairport.com for more info.

Here’s a tentative schedule; all times and events are subject to change:

8 a.m. — Airport grounds open

10 a.m. — Pilots briefing in CAF hangar

11 a.m. — Opening announcements; ground activities and displays will be under way

1 p.m. — Air show begins with Bealeton Flying Circus

4 p.m. — Raffle prize drawing