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It's Aviation Heritage Park Hangar Party time in Bowling Green.
Kick the season into high gear by attending this year’s gala, sponsored by Span Tech, on Saturday, June 17, at the Bowling Green/Warren County Regional Airport.
The 2017 party will introduce Aviation Heritage Park's newest acquisition, a UH-1 honoring Vietnam veterans and paying tribute to Army helicopter pilot Col. Raymond Nutter. The helicopter has recently been retrieved from the Boneyard at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base where it has been in storage for over 35 years. The aircraft will be undergoing restoration before transport to Aviation Heritage Park, located on Three Springs Road.
“It’s been sitting in the high desert for several years, so it’s a little rough,” said AHP President Joe Tinius. “We want the public –and particularly Vietnam era veterans – to see it in its current condition. Then, when we have completed the demanding restoration process, we’ll reveal its glory.”
In addition to the helicopter, AHP has another new display – a Piper Cub. It will tell the story of Glasgow native Willa Brown, the first African American woman in the U.S. to earn a commercial pilot’s license and who later went on to train Tuskegee Airmen.
Get your tickets now to hear country music legend Aaron Tippin at this year’s gala in the big hangar at the airport. The CMA award winning artist will be performing a selection of his top hits like “Kiss This,” “There Ain't Nothin' Wrong with the Radio” and “That's as Close as I'll Get to Loving You,” all #1 hits. Aaron Tippin will be on stage from 7 to 8 p.m. followed by local dance band sensation Bueler’s Day Off, who will be playing until 10 p.m.
“Where the Stars and Stripes and Eagles Fly, the theme of the hangar party and title of one of this year’s featured artist’s hit songs, reminds us of how lucky we are to be Americans and how grateful we are for the sacrifices of our military,” said board member Bob Pitchford.
Live entertainment and dancing are just a part of the evening of fun. Party goers will enjoy a delicious barbecue dinner, unlimited free beverages and a stroll down memory lane through pictures and displays of the men and women and artifacts that make up the vivid aviation history of south central Kentucky. Several aircraft of interest are scheduled to be on hand, including an extremely rare Spartan Executive once owned and flown by Howard Hughes.
Party gates open at 5 p.m. Limited tickets are on sale now, with pre-purchase recommended, available at Ford’s Furniture, Nat’s Outdoor Sports, Chuck’s Liquor, and Barbara Stewart Interiors, or online at www.aviationheritagepark.com. Tickets are $40 each for adults, $15 for children six to12, and five and under are free. Any remaining tickets will be available at the door.
If you or your organization are interested in sponsoring a table, please contact AHP at 270-421-4885.
