Lots to do at Wheels-N-Wings festival

Van Wert independent/contributor content

Today’s fourth annual Wheels-N-Wings Heritage Festival at the Van Wert County Regional Airport has plenty of activities for just about anyone. The festival was started as a way to celebrate Van Wert County’s connection to the history of transportation in car, planes, and motorcycles.

Ohio City resident John W. Lambert built the first successful gasoline-powered, single-cylinder automobile in 1890 — three years before Henry Ford’s horseless carriage appeared on the scene. Walter Hinton, a Van Wert County native, achieved fame in 1919 as the pilot of the Curtiss NC Flying Boat “NC-4”, the first aircraft to make a successful transatlantic flight, seven years before Lindbergh’s solo flight.

The most famous stunt motorcyclist of the first half of the 20th century, Putt Mossman, while not a Van Wert native, spent many summers in the area. Mossman traveled the world putting on spectacular extravaganzas in front of crowds numbering in the thousands.

This year’s festival will be an extravaganza in itself, featuring a car show, motorcycle show, aircraft displays, food and entertainment.  The excitement will actually started Friday with a festival cruise-in at The Pitt Stop Restaurant on South Shannon Street in Van Wert.

Today’s events begin bright and early at 7:30 a.m. with a fly-in and an “all-you-eat” pancake and sausage breakfast. Throughout the morning, various historic aircraft will be arriving, while a replica of the Wright “B” Flyer (at right) flew in on Friday afternoon. This is the plane designed by the Wright Brothers in 1910 and included many improvements over the first plane.

The Wright “B” Flyer design was sold to the U.S. Army and Navy to be used as trainers and was also produced for domestic sale. This specific plane was featured in air shows all over the world and will be flown in from its home base in Dayton.

Also scheduled to participate will be WACO biplanes and the Grimes Flying Lab, a beautifully restored Beech C-45H airplane that was used to test Grimes aircraft lighting systems during World War II. The plane will also perform a dusk light show on Saturday evening.

A Vietnam-era Huey 369 helicopter will also be on display and rides will be offered for a charge.  The National Aviation Hall of Fame will have several displays on-site, including a flight simulator.

Radio controlled aircraft demonstrations are scheduled for 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., while skydivers will be taking to the air throughout the day, as will para-motor exhibitions.  Aerial tours of the city will also be offered for a fee.

The car show will take place from noon to 4 p.m., with a special award given for the “People’s Choice” vehicle. Other awards will be given to the top 20 judged cars, along with special dash plaques for the first 50 cars registered. All vehicles must be 1986 models or older, unless heavily modified. Antique and vintage cars owners are encouraged to bring their vehicles out to the show.

Registration for the car show is $5. New to the event this year, Greve Chrysler Jeep Dodge and Lee Kinstle GM Sales and Service will have new cars on display.  There will also be some car parts and accessory vendors on hand.

The motorcycle show will also take place from noon to 4 p.m.  Sponsored by the Van Wert Area Cushman Club, trophies will be awarded to the top six judged entries, along with dash plaques for the first 25 motorcycles entered. A poker run is set to take off at 10 a.m.

Several food vendors will also be on hand. Following up on the “wings” theme, three area vendors — The Pitt Stop, JT Express, and Gibson’s Barnyard BBQ — will have chicken wings available for tasting.  Other typical festival food will also be available.

The entertainment involves more than just cars, motorcycles and planes.  There will also be a craft show and kids activities.  Beginning at 6 p.m., musical entertainment will take center stage with Canadian folk singer Suzie Vinnick opening the show, followed by local Christian rock group Fortress. Headliner for the evening will be Sierra Shame from Fort Wayne, Ind. A beer concession opens at 3 p.m.

“People are invited out to the festival (to) enjoy the day and have lots of fun,” said Van Wert Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Larry Lee. “There really will be, we think, something for everyone — plus there is no admission or parking fees. We are looking forward to seeing a lot of visitors for his event.”